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.
Large RNA molecules can be assembled from basic biochemical building blocks during cycles of freezing and thawing. This breakthrough from Philipp Holliger’s group at the LMB reinforces the possibility that RNA was responsible for both molecular heredity and metabolism in primordial biochemistry. More…
An article in the New York Times highlights the work of John Sutherland, a group leader at the LMB, who has determined a possible chemical pathway to produce the starting materials of life. In his laboratory he tested all the chemical reactions needed to make precursors of lipids, nucleotides and amino acids, the building blocks of life, and developed evidence that these could occur under the conditions expected of primitive Earth. More…
Research led by the LMB’s Anne Bertolotti has discovered a selective inhibitor of a phosphatase enzyme that could prevent protein misfolding diseases. The scientists showed that the new molecule, dubbed Sephin1, countered the effects of aggregating proteins in mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and might do so for other neurodegenerative disorders. More…
The LMB and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences have announced an initiative in mechanism-based therapeutics of common human neurodegenerative diseases. This initiative, developed by Michel Goedert and Alastair Compston, aims to identify core mechanisms of protein aggregation and spreading in neurodegeneration, and to apply that knowledge to study putative new therapies. More…
Researchers, including a team from the LMB, have obtained structures of complete ribosomes from mammalian mitochondria at near-atomic resolution for the first time. More…
Michael Hastings delivers sixth form lecture at King William’s College, Isle of Man, on his research into circadian rhythms and biological clocks. This article is no longer available from the source website: Isle of Man Today 1 April 2015