About Us
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is a research institute dedicated to the understanding of important biological processes at the levels of atoms, molecules, cells and organisms. In doing so, we provide knowledge needed to solve key problems in human health.
Our scientists tackle fundamental, often difficult and long-term research problems. The LMB has made revolutionary contributions to science, such as pioneering X-ray crystallography and electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine protein structures, the sequencing of DNA and the development of monoclonal antibodies. Twelve Nobel Prizes have been awarded for work carried out by LMB scientists.
The LMB also promotes the application and exploitation of our research findings, both by collaboration with existing companies and the founding of new ones, helping to advance medical research and the translation and application of knowledge.
The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both young and established researchers, with state-of-the-art facilities and a unique scientific culture. The LMB has always been very diverse, with a truly international outlook. We currently employ men and women from over 50 countries, and LMB alumni work in research organisations across the world.
Insight on Research
A colder frontier: cryo-EM at liquid helium temperatures

New specimen supports, designed by Chris Russo’s group in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division, solve decades-long question on how to use liquid helium in cryo-EM to reduce radiation damage and improve information capture.
Cytosol-adapted bacterium usurps host defence mechanism to evade LPS ubiquitylation

Felix Randow’s group, in the LMB’s PNAC Division, has identified the mechanism by which cytosol-dwelling Shigella flexneri bacteria use their effector protein IpaH1.4 to avoid LPS ubiquitylation by degrading the host E3 ligase RNF213.
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Latest News
2025 César Milstein Lecture to be delivered by David Pellman
The 2025 César Milstein Lecture titled ‘Mechanisms driving the rapid evolution of genomes’ will be given by David Pellman at 10am (BST) on Thursday 24th April. […]
Benjamin Ryskeldi-Falcon awarded The Colworth Medal from the Biochemical Society
Benjamin Ryskeldi-Falcon, Group Leader in the LMB’s Neurobiology Division, has been recognised for his research into the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases. […]
Latest Publications
- Three systems of circuit formation: assembly, updating and tuning.
Barabási, DL., Ferreira Castro, A., Engert, F.
Nat Rev Neurosci 26(4): 232-243. (24th April 2025) - Verapamil and its metabolite norverapamil inhibit the MmpS5L5 efflux pump to increase bedaquiline activity.
Fountain, AJ., et al.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 122(16): e2426827122. (22nd April 2025) - Statistical signature of subtle behavioral changes in large-scale assays.
Blanc, A., et al.
PLoS Comput Biol 21(4): e1012990 [Epub ahead of print]. (21st April 2025) - Single-cell analysis of the early Drosophila salivary gland reveals that morphogenetic control involves both the induction and exclusion of gene expression programs.
May, A., Röper, K.
PLoS Biol 23(4): e3003133 [Epub ahead of print]. (21st April 2025) - Encoding and decoding selectivity and promiscuity in the human chemokine-GPCR interaction network.
Kleist, AB., et al.
Cell [Epub ahead of print]. (21st April 2025) - The neuropeptide FLP-11 induces and self-inhibits sleep through the receptor DMSR-1 in Caenorhabiditis elegans.
Rossi, L., et al.
Curr Biol [Epub ahead of print]. (20th April 2025) - IL-25 Enhances B Cell Responses in Type 2 Inflammation Through IL-17RB Receptor.
Abdu, S., et al.
Allergy 80(4): 965-975. (19th April 2025)
See more Publications