MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
One of the world's leading research institutes, our scientists are working to advance understanding of biological processes at the molecular level - providing the knowledge needed to solve key problems in human health.
Knowable magazine covers competing theories as to how organelles such as the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum came to exist within complex cells. They include the ‘inside-out’ approach from Buzz Baum, Group Leader in the LMB’s Cell Biology Division, who posits that long protrusions from ancient archaeal cells slowly enclosed neighbouring alphaproteobacterium to eventually create internal membrane compartments. More…
As previously seen in tau and α-synuclein, Benjamin Ryskeldi-Falcon’s group have determined that TDP-43 forms distinct amyloid arrangements in different neurodegenerative diseases. They describe the structure of filaments of TDP-43 in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) as a chevron shape, markedly different from the double spiral shape they previously identified from brains of those with a form of FTLD accompanied with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. More…
Sean Munro’s group in the LMB’s Cell Biology Division, and Matthew Freeman at the Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, have built the ‘Unknome’ database, which ranks human genes based on how much is known about them. They found that surprisingly little is known about an estimated fifth of the human genome, and that many of these genes in question are vital to key organism functions such as fertility, development, and protein quality control. More…
Business Weekly cover recent research from Jason Chin’s group in the LMB’s PNAC Division which details their new technologies for continuous genome synthesis. They also include comment from Constructive Bio, a spinout company founded by Jason Chin, who expand on the application possibilities for this research. More…
At the end of his Brandon to Cambridge railway journey, Michael Portillo visits the LMB to talk to Venki Ramakrishnan about the significance of the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick. Venki shares how the team solved this puzzle by combining data from various sources, including X-Ray diffraction data produced by Rosalind Franklin, and building physical models to visualise the possible arrangements of the chemical bases. More… (note this episode is on BBC iPlayer, access restrictions apply)
The LMB recently hosted a visit from Chloe Smith, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, where she was shown the latest electron cryo-microscope, installed as part of the government’s World Class Labs investment. During the visit, Chloe Smith spoke to LMB Director Jan Löwe, discussed how LMB researchers use electron cryo-microscopy to look at protein structures with Sjors Scheres and Sofia Lövestam, and looked at brain organoids with Madeline Lancaster. More…