Target of Rapamycin (TOR) is a protein kinase that is essential in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In mammalian cells the enzyme occurs as two large protein complexes and one of these, mTORC1, controls growth of cells by integrating signals from growth factors and the nutritional state of cells. Many tumours in humans are associated with inappropriate […]
Insight into the complex 3D topology of the TOR enzyme
Vital nutrient has key role in keeping body clocks running on time
Magnesium – a nutrient found in many foods – helps control how cells keep their own form of time to cope with the natural environmental cycle of day and night, scientists in John O’Neill’s group at the LMB, and at the University of Edinburgh have found. More…
Daily magnesium fluxes regulate cellular timekeeping and energy balance
Most organisms, including humans and plants, have circadian rhythms that allow them to adjust their metabolism and behaviour to match the 24-hour cycle of day and night. Circadian rhythms are even observed at the level of individual cells, and are dependent upon a biological clock mechanism that is not fully understood. Work by John O’Neill’s […]
Allergan signs $3.3bn deal with Heptares
Heptares Therapeutics, an LMB spin-out company, announces a deal with Allergan for development of novel treatments for neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. More…
Artificial DNA could build new generation of cancer drugs
Scientists have built the first 3D nano-sized objects using artificial DNA, which could be used to deploy cancer treatments inside tumour cells. The teams from the LMB and The Institute of Cancer Research, London created microscopic pyramid- and diamond-shaped 3D ‘packets’ by folding together artificial nucleic acid building blocks called Xeno nucleic acids (XNAs). More…
Cambridge Pharmaceutical Cryo-EM Consortium
Cambridge Pharmaceutical Cryo-EM Consortium formed by FEI, five pharmaceutical companies, LMB and the University of Cambridge. Sample preparation and data collection services on a cryo-transmission electron microscope (cryo-EM) will be provided to the consortium companies for early-stage drug discovery research. More…