MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

A small polymerase ribozyme that can synthesize itself and its complementary strand The emergence of a chemical system capable of self-replication and evolution is a critical event in the origin of life. RNA polymerase ribozymes can replicate RNA, but their large size and structural ...

How could a simple self-replicating system emerge at the origins of life? RNA polymerase ribozymes can replicate RNA, but existing ones are so large that their self-replication seems impossible. Could they be smaller?

Excited to share our latest work in @science.org on a new small polymerase.
1/n

Researchers have discovered a little RNA molecule - small enough to potentially form spontaneously, yet sophisticated enough to begin to copy itself - that could explain how life on Earth began over four billion years ago, Science Director @rogerhighfield.bsky.social reports: https://bit.ly/3ZvPS6s

How did life arise from simple chemical building blocks?

New #LMBResearch led by @edogia.bsky.social in @philholliger.bsky.social group has identified a small self-replicating ribozyme that could be the answer.

Read more: mrclmb.ac.uk/news-events/...

Kelly Nguyen announced as finalist of 2026 Blavatnik Awards in the UK. Kelly’s face and name on a black background with blue patterns.

@kellythd-nguyen.bsky.social, Group Leader in the Structural Studies Division, has been announced as a Finalist in the 2026 Blavatnik Awards for her work on telomerase.

Congratulations to Kelly and to all the other Finalists!

Read more here: blavatnikawards.org/news/items/y...

#LMBintheNews

How RNA reveals clues to life’s origins on Earth The discovery of catalytic RNA transformed our understanding of life's beginnings. Clare Sansom explores how the RNA world hypothesis bridges the gap between non-living chemistry and the first cells

How did life on Earth begin?

LMB Group Leader John Sutherland posits that the building blocks for life could have emerged simultaneously from early-Earth chemistry, kickstarted by hydrogen cyanide.

Read more about this field of research here: www.chemistryworld.com/features/how...

#LMBintheNews

Smiling headshot of Matti Pronker

Congratulations to former LMB postdoc @mfpronker.bsky.social, who is launching his own independent research group at Sanquin Research where he'll use protein engineering and structural biology techniques to study important blood protein complexes.
Best of luck to you Matti!
#LMBAlumni

Hidden struggles: Cambridge scientists share the truth behind their success In a career defined by constant questioning, self-doubt can become an occupational hazard. Now, for the first time, a group of Cambridge scientists reveal the personal struggles they’ve faced – and co...

Self-Doubt, the new book from @labliston.bsky.social, explores the uncertainty researchers face in their careers.
Several scientists share their stories, including Tombi Makuyana, a postdoc in the LMB’s PNAC Division.
Read more about the book here: www.cam.ac.uk/stories/camb...
#LMBNews

Colourful connectome displaying all the neurons and synaptic connections in a larval Drosophila brain

We’re looking for a postdoc to join Albert Cardona’s group in the LMB’s Neurobiology Division.
The successful candidate will work on various connectome mapping projects to better understand the neural circuit basis of behaviour.
Read more: www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Closes 15 FEB

Year 12 work experience infographic Dates 27th - 31st July Apply by 1st March

📣 Applications are open for work experience

🧪🔬 Aimed at local Y12 students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in science

🗓️ 27/07 – 31/07

Eligibility and selection criteria apply

Applications by 01/03

More info: mrclmb.ac.uk/careers-and-...

#STEM #WorkExperience #BiologyCareers

Industrial lab with complex piping and machinery, advertising a Maintenance Technician job at MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. Text reads: Now hiring: Maintenance Technician To provide electrical or mechanical support alongside our accomplished Estates and Facilities Team to help maintain the LMB's world-class research facilities. Apply by 16th Feb

We’re looking for a Maintenance Technician to join our skilled Estates & Facilities team part-time!
You’ll be responsible for electrical or mechanical works to keep the LMB buildings running in optimal condition.
Read more here: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQH141/m...
Apply by 16 FEB
#CambridgeJobs

Jan Lowe and Anna Williams holding large check in front of LMB.

Since the 1970s, the annual Christmas raffle has been a staple event in the LMB’s calendar.

Supported by a craft sale, in 2025, the LMB raised over £2000 for @camcycle.bsky.social in memory of Mark Troll.

Read more here: mrclmb.ac.uk/news-events/...

#LMBNews

Race Equality Week Advancing Careers: Diverse Pathways Beyond Early Research Speakers: Dr Chinedu Agwu, Professor Emmanuel Adukwu, Professor Adewale Adebajo Tuesday 3 February 1pm – 2.30pm Register Online

This #RaceEqualityWeek join us at 1pm (GMT) on Tue 3rd Feb for an inspiring conversation on career progression in biomedical research.
We look forward to welcoming our speakers Adewale Adebajo, Emmanuel Adukwu & Chinedu Agwu!
Find more info & register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/24e236...

Start the Week - Biology, technology and the future - BBC Sounds Adam Rutherford asks what it might mean if we can build human bodies and minds.

To mark the upcoming publication of his book ‘On the Future of Species’ former LMB PhD student & postdoc @adrianwoolfson.bsky.social appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Start The Week to discuss how a new era of synthetic biology could transform life as we know it.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

#LMBAlumni

Suyang Zhang smiles in front of a blurred laboratory background

Exciting opportunity for a #postdoc to join @suyangzhang.bsky.social’s group in the LMB Structural Studies Division to investigate co-transcriptional splicing using cryo-EM and biochemistry.
Read more: www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Apply by 11 FEB
#PostdocJobs #ScienceJobs

Saja Fadila on black background

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Saja Fadila, postdoc in the Bertolotti group in the LMB's Neurobiology Division.

Her colleagues will remember Saja as a smart, energetic and determined scientist who will be sorely missed.

Read the LMB’s tribute here: mrclmb.ac.uk/news-events/...

LMB Seminar Paul Nurse Francis Crick Institute CDKs and Cell Cycle Control Monday 26 January at 11 am Max Perutz Lecture Theatre and Zoom.

TODAY – Paul Nurse from the Francis Crick Institute will be joining us to discuss ‘New Perspectives on CDKs and Cell Cycle Control’.

Don’t miss this fantastic #LMBSeminar, beginning at 11am (GMT).

More info: mrclmb.ac.uk/news-events/...

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Dedicated to the understanding of fundamental biological processes providing knowledge crucial to solving key problems in human health.

#ICYMI don't forget to check out our brand new website ➡️ mrclmb.ac.uk

YouTube video by MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Through the doors of discovery - an introduction to the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

To complement the launch of our new LMB website, we’ve shared a new introductory video on our YouTube channel.

Meet some of our scientists and support staff, take a look around our wonderful building and see how we come together to unravel how life works.

youtu.be/JmC17_4bEMA?...

Congratulations to Tom Dendooven, former postdoc in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division, who has launched his own research group at @viblifesciences.bsky.social
His group will study the molecular basis of male infertility using electron cryotomography.
Best of luck to you Tom!
#LMBAlumni 🎉

LMB Seminar Paul Nurse Francis Crick Institute CDKs and Cell Cycle Control Monday 26 January at 11 am Max Perutz Lecture Theatre and Zoom.

Don’t miss next week’s #LMBSeminar by Paul Nurse: New Perspectives on CDKs and Cell Cycle Control.

Monday 26th January, 11am (GMT)

Visit our website to find more details: mrclmb.ac.uk/news-events/...

🌐Our new LMB website is live!🌐
Fresh design, better navigation, same first-class science.
Take a look around ➡️ mrclmb.ac.uk

Max Perutz Lecture Dirk Görlich Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences Transport through nuclear pores Monday 19 January at 11 am Max Perutz Lecture Theatre and Zoom. Sponsored by AstraZeneca

Want to learn more about nuclear pore transport and its implications for new therapeutics?
Don’t miss the 2026 Max Perutz Lecture by Dirk Görlich at 11am on Monday 19th January.
More details: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/news-and-eve...

LMB Seminar Paul Nurse Francis Crick Institute CDKs and Cell Cycle Control Monday 26 January at 11 am Max Perutz Lecture Theatre and Zoom.

Join Paul Nurse from the Francis Crick Institute at the LMB on Monday 26th January at 11am (GMT) for a #LMBSeminar on ‘New Perspectives on CDKs and Cell Cycle Control’

Visit our website for more details: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/news-and-eve...

Dirk Görlich stood with his arms crossed in front of a leafy green background

Dirk Görlich will give the 2026 Max Perutz Lecture at 11am (GMT) on 19th January.

Read more about his research and upcoming lecture ‘Transport through nuclear pores’ here: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/2026-max-per...

#LMBNews #LMBSeminar

Brain Balls Scientists can now grow tiny, human brain balls. They’re useful, but are they alive?

@lancasterlab.bsky.social, Joint Head of the LMB’s Cell Biology Division, dives into the world of brain organoids with @latif.bsky.social at @radiolab.bsky.social 🧠

Listen via the link: radiolab.org/podcast/brai...

#LMBintheNews

Get the latest news and events straight to your phone via our WhatsApp channel!

For those who are not desk-based or may have very busy inboxes, we have launched a WhatsApp channel to enable people to receive the latest news and events directly to their phones: whatsapp.com/channel/0029...

David Favara

Congratulations to David Favara, postdoc in Chris Tate’s group and Clinical Lecturer in Medical Oncology at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals, who was awarded the 2025 McElwain Prize from the Association of Cancer Physicians/UK Society for Medical Oncology for this work.

Structure with different colours marking the tethered agonist of ADGLR4, its connection to Gq and the lack of connection to other G units.

Revealing the hidden switch behind aggressive cancers.

ADGRL4 in its active state by David Favara in Chris Tate’s group, reveals how a G-protein couples & highlights activation method, paving the way for new cancer therapies.

Read more: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/revealing-th...

#LMBResearch #CryoEM

Advert for Max Perutz Lecture by Dirk Gorlich, Monday 19th January 11am

We’re kicking off 2026 with a bang!

Join us to hear Dirk Görlich from the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences deliver the 2026 Max Perutz Lecture at 11am (GMT) on Monday 19th January.

Visit our website to learn more: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/news-and-eve...

Group of 11 people positioned around a sculpture, some seated some standing

Are you an enthusiastic and ambitious scientist looking for a challenging project?
Come and join @kellythd-nguyen.bsky.social’s group as a Research Support Officer and help decipher the molecular mechanisms of telomere maintenance!
Apply by 11 JAN
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPU715/r...