CryoEM structures determined by Yorgo Modis’ group show how the innate immune sensor MDA5 recognizes viral RNA by forming filaments. ATP hydrolysis is coupled to structural changes in the filament, which are proposed to promote discrimination between viral and cellular RNAs. Depicted here on day 300 of #LMB365 is a model of an MDA5-dsRNA filament (foreground). A viral dsRNA genome and the endosome that delivered it into the cytosol are shown in the background.
LMB 365 – Day 300
LMB 365 – Day 299
This photo for day 299 of #LMB365 shows some of the LMB’s Domestic Services team celebrating James’ birthday. The LMB has many long-term members of staff and these 3 between them have racked up over 50 years of loyal service.
LMB 365 – Day 298
During the last year, over 4,500 initial crystallisation screens were used at the LMB to test macromolecular samples of interest. Further screens are often required for optimisation purposes. The corresponding trays containing the crystallisation experiments are stored in temperature-controlled rooms as seen here on day 298 of #LMB365.
LMB 365 – Day 297
Day 297 of #LMB365 is a screenshot from our internal “Bee Cam”. It shows our resident beekeeper Geoff putting on a feeder of sugar syrup for the LMB’s bees to build up stores for the winter. The bees have also been treated for mites so hopefully they will be well until next year.
LMB researchers share their science in Cambridge, Ely and Peterborough
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.
LMB 365 – Day 296
The annual Perutz Student Prize has been awarded recently and the winners photographed in the Max Perutz Lecture Theatre under Max’s watchful eye as recorded here on day 296 of #LMB365 by Anne Bertolotti. Watch this space to find out about the winners…