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.
LifeLab returned for the second year of the project – this time with LMB scientists taking their research to Ely Cathedral and Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough, as well as to events in Cambridge. Through a range of hands-on activities, talks, discussions, displays, and entertainment, LifeLab volunteers talked to more than 3,500 people across Cambridge, Ely, and Peterborough over a day and a half.
The Rainwater Prize Program, the largest prize program for brain research based in Texas, US, has conferred its inaugural award to Michel Goedert. Michel, in the LMB’s Neurobiology Division, received the Prize for establishing that the abnormal assembly of Tau protein is central to a large number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease.
The third in our series of Group Leader profiles written by science writer and LMB alumna, Kathy Weston, is a profile of Mariann Bienz, a Group Leader in the LMB’s PNAC Division.
If one were asked to describe Mariann Bienz in one word, it would almost certainly be: determined. Her persistence and focus took her from a graduate student working on tRNA, through a postdoc on heat shock genes in frogs, to her long-term objective of studying gene expression in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.
For the fifth year in a row, LMB staff showed up on both sides of a long and vibrant line up of baked goodness in support of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning to fundraise for cancer support. This year, the LMB’s HR team, an enthusiastic bunch of bakers, and an equally committed team of cake supporters raised £640.96, significantly higher than last year’s £344.35.
Kiyoshi Nagai, Group Leader at the LMB and joint head of the Division of Structural Studies from 2001 to 2010, died on September 27th 2019 after a short illness.
Research begun by Kiyoshi at the LMB 30 years ago has recently culminated in a comprehensive understanding of how the spliceosome catalyses the fundamental process of gene splicing in eukaryotes.
Brenda Schulman will deliver the 2019 John Kendrew Lecture: ‘How a ubiquitin-like protein brings ubiquitylation to life’ on Thursday 3rd October at 10.30am in the LMB’s Max Perutz Lecture Theatre. The event is open to anyone in the local area who is interested in attending.