Dr Venki Ramakrishnan’s lab from the LMB’s Structural Studies Division have uncovered the molecular mechanism by which toxins such as ricin and alpha-sarcin inhibit protein synthesis in cells. It was known that these toxins act on a highly conserved RNA loop in the ribosome, the molecular machinery which synthesises proteins in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic […]
Understanding how toxins can affect the mechanism of the ribosome
Scientists ‘give botox a facelift’ to improve its use in medicine
Researchers led by Dr Bazbek Davletov at the LMB have developed a new method of joining and rebuilding molecules in the laboratory and have used it to refine Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type A (more commonly known as botox). This new approach will enable researchers to improve its use as a treatment for diseases such as […]
Sexual attraction could be due to the wiring of the brain
Sexual attraction between males and females could be down to differences in the way the brain is wired up, according to work from the lab of Dr Greg Jefferis at LMB. The research was carried out in fruit flies in collaboration with colleagues at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna. Fruit flies […]
The lost correspondence of Francis Crick
“Alexander Gann and Jan Witkowski unveil newly found letters between key players in the DNA story. Strained relationships and vivid personalities leap off the pages… It turns out that this lost correspondence was never thrown out, but became mixed in with Sydney Brenner’s papers. Brenner and Crick shared an office in Cambridge from 1956 to […]
Scientists find way to refine botox for new uses
“British scientists have developed a new way of joining and rebuilding molecules and used it to refine the anti-wrinkle treatment botox in an effort to improve its use for Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy and chronic migraine. Researchers at the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology said their results also open up ways to develop new […]
BBC radio Cambridge 7.20am
“BBC radio Cambridge 7.20am 21.10.10: Dr Matthew Freeman, MRC LMB Group Leader, welcomes the LMB funding decision outlined in the spending review” More…