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.
The structure of the dynactin complex, solved by Andrew Carter’s group at the LMB, is the cover story on this week’s Science and is the Wellcome Trust’s Image of the week. The picture shows a model of the dynein/dynactin protein machine that moves cargo around the cell, that was determined using electron cryo-microscopy. This article is no longer available from the source website: Wellcome Trust 27th March 2015
FORMA Therapeutics and Cancer Research Technology, Ltd (CRT) have announced the formation of two new virtual Asset Discovery and Development Companies (ADDCos) to represent the collective efforts of the consortium in the field of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). ADDCos are virtual companies seeking to achieve rapid innovation in a compelling scientific area through the collaboration of academic thought leaders, FORMA drug discovery scientists and a world class development network. More…
The next president of the Royal Society will be the Nobel-winning LMB researcher Venki Ramakrishnan. He will succeed Paul Nurse in December 2015. After hearing of the confirmation, Venki told the BBC News that he was “very honoured” to be the society’s president elect. More…
LMB scientists have found a reaction network that they believe shows that ‘pretty much everyone’ working on life’s molecular origins is wrong – but also ‘right, in a sense’. Until now, the field has warred over which biomolecule, emerged first. But John Sutherland’s group found the different types may have appeared simultaneously. More…
LMB’s Kiyoshi Nagai looks back on his research on the spliceosome, RNA-protein interactions and the RNA recognition motif, U1A protein, for RNA journal. More…
The Telegraph reports that the LMB spin-out company Heptares has been acquired by Japanese pharmaceutical company Soseito. The group’s research and development activities and 72 employees will remain in Hertfordshire, and Heptares will operate as an autonomous subsidiary to Sosei. Heptares is developing a string of drugs using a technology which can determine the precise shape of the target molecule, originally developed in the LMB. Its most advanced drug, which aims to treat Alzheimer’s, recently entered human trials. More…