Cell Biology Division

The Division aims to understand the biological organisation of cells and organisms, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their function. These fundamental questions are addressed using a wide range of model organisms including yeast, slime moulds, nematodes, flies and mice, as well as cell culture and in vitro techniques. Despite this breadth, there are important shared themes that encourage synergy between groups. All have an interest in mechanistic explanations at a cellular level, and common approaches include the use of advanced microscopy and genetic techniques. The Division is also keen to contribute to the translation of fundamental discoveries into clinical advances.

Group Leaders and MRC Investigators

• Buzz Baum - The generation and evolution of biological form
• Simon Bullock - Molecular cell biology of cytoskeletal transport
• Emmanuel Derivery - Mechanisms of polarized trafficking induced by cytoskeleton asymmetries
• Ramanujan Hegde - Membrane protein biosynthesis and quality control
• Madeline Lancaster - Human brain development in cerebral organoids
• Kate McDole - Morphogenesis of the early mammalian embryo
• Liz Miller - Protein transport and quality control in the secretory pathway
• Sean Munro - Functional organisation of the Golgi apparatus
• John O'Neill - Cellular rhythms, signalling and metabolic regulation
• Katja Röper - The cell biology of dynamic epithelia during organ formation
• Marta Shahbazi - Pluripotency in embryogenesis and regeneration

Scientific Facilities within the Division

• Biological Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics
• Light Microscopy

Emeritus

• Rob Kay - How cells drink and move: macropinocytosis and chemotaxis
• John Kilmartin - Conserved mechanisms of mitosis in yeast and mammals
• Peter Lawrence - Pattern formation in development
• Hugh Pelham - Membrane protein sorting
• Andrew Travers - Chromatin folding and unfolding

Past Group Leaders

• Mario de Bono - Moved to the Institute of Science and Technology, Austria, October 2019
• Wanda Kukulski - Moved to the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine of the University of Bern, May 2020
• Ben Nichols - Left LMB, January 2019

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Joint Heads of Division:
Sean Munro and Ramanujan Hegde

Divisional Administrator:
Alison Turnock

Assistant Divisional Administrator:
Verena Taylor Division of Cell Biology,
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology,

Francis Crick Avenue,
Cambridge Biomedical Campus,
Cambridge CB2 0QH,
UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 267030
Fax: +44 (0) 1223 213556