3D colour-coded reconstruction of a fruit fly brain connectome, detailing intricate neuronal networks across distinct regions.

Discovering
how life works

This 3D rendering shows the neural connections in a fruit fly brain, which is less than 1 mm across. Read more about the rendering, Greg Jefferis’s group and the FlyWire Consortium.
Molecular model of a replisome, a multi-protein complex (colored blobs) actively replicating a DNA double helix (yellow strand).

Research that spans the breadth of biology

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is a research institute dedicated to the understanding of fundamental biological processes at the levels of atoms, molecules, cells and organisms. The knowledge we provide is crucial to solving key problems in human health.

Our Science
A 3D image of the human replisome, the molecular machinery that copies our DNA, captured using electron cryomicroscopy. Discover more about the research exploring how these complexes work.

Latest News

Comparison of ribozyme structures.
Insight on Research
Bridging the gap from chemistry to life: discovery of a tiny RNA that can copy itself
Jan Lowe and Anna Williams holding large check in front of LMB.
LMB News
Seasonal fundraiser surpasses £2000 in support of CamCycle
Saja Fadila on a black background
LMB News
Saja Fadila, 1995‑2026
A man stood with his arms crossed in front of a leafy, blurred background
LMB News
2026 Max Perutz Lecture to be given by Dirk Görlich
Cryo-EM structure of ADGRL4-CTF2B G protein complex with a tethered agonist, showing Gq and Gβγ subunits.
Insight on Research
Revealing the hidden switch behind aggressive cancers
Man stood with his arms crossed, in between shelves stacked full of items
LMB News
Neil Sands appointed Stores Manager
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Three women sit at a table smiling and gesturing during a discussion, with one woman's back to the viewer and notebooks on the table.

An unsurpassed environment for researchers

The LMB comprises over 50 scientific groups pursuing ambitious research, supported by cutting-edge scientific facilities and generous core-funding by the MRC/UKRI. We occupy an inspiring, purpose-built building on the thriving Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Working at the LMB

Public Engagement

How we connect with society and inspire the next generation.

Upcoming Events

divisional seminar 25 / 02 / 2026
Sensing Tension: Nuclear force coupling and the regulation of actomyosin dynamics Tobias Zech, University of Liverpool
divisional seminar 25 / 02 / 2026
Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry – Technological developments and applications in biosciences. Nicholas Lockyer, University of Manchester
other seminar 03 / 03 / 2026
LMB Seminar for Non-Scientists – Can our neurons talk to immune cells? Noe Rodriguez, PNAC
lmb named seminar 09 / 03 / 2026
Francis Crick Lecture: From Cell Atlases to Medicines, with AI Aviv Regev, Head of Genentech R&ED
divisional seminar 10 / 03 / 2026
Exploring the Protein Universe via Multimers and Motifs Martin Steinegger, School of Biology, Seoul National University
divisional seminar 16 / 03 / 2026
TBC Carsten Janke, Institut Curie
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Fluorescent micrograph of a neuronal cell body with numerous radiating filamentous processes.

Progressing science for over 60 years

Since our origins in 1947, the LMB has pioneered the molecular biology revolution and is a world-leading source of new ideas, scientific advances and technology. Our discoveries have led to highly successful commercialisations and medical advances that have improved human life.

Explore Our History Timeline
An axon bundle growing from a human brain organoid within a micropatterned device. Read more about research into axon growth and human brain development. 

Latest Publications

The microcephaly-associated protein YIPF5 differentially regulates ER export. (20th Feb 2026)Bruno F, Anitei M, Di Fraia D, Durso W, Dau T, Cirri E, Sannai M, Valkova C, Maldutyte J, Miller EA, Rubio I, Garloff V, Kersten N, Farias GG, Ori A, Mestres I, Calegari F, Kaether CiScience • 29(2):114791 • doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.114791
Structure and mechanism of antiphage retron Eco2.Jasnauskaitė M, Juozapaitis J, Liegutė T, Grigaitis R, Skorupskaitė A, Steinchen W, Mikšys A, Truncaitė L, Kazlauskaitė K, Torres Jiménez MF, Khochare S, Dudas G, Bange G, Malinauskaitė L, Songailienė I, Pausch PNat Struct Mol Biol • 33(2):330-340 • doi: 10.1038/s41594-026-01754-2
Author Correction: Phosphorylation-dependent tuning of mRNA deadenylation rates. (18th Feb 2026)Stowell JAW, Yu CWH, Chen ZA, DeBell LK, Lee GC, Morgan T, Sinn L, Agnello S, O'Reilly FJ, Rappsilber J, Freund SMV, Passmore LANat Struct Mol Biol • doi: 10.1038/s41594-026-01774-y
A small polymerase ribozyme that can synthesize itself and its complementary strand. (12th Feb 2026)Gianni E, Kwok SLY, Wan CJK, Goeij K, Clifton BE, Colizzi ES, Attwater J, Holliger PScience • eadt2760 • doi: 10.1126/science.adt2760
Dual inhibition of mTOR and calcineurin pathways mitigates missing self-induced NK cell-mediated microvascular rejection. (17th Feb 2026)Hamada S, Beadle J, Koenig A, Sugranes B, Ferdinand J, Chen CC, Mathias V, Eloudzeri M, Barba T, Paidassi H, Saison C, Dubois V, Morelon E, Walzer T, Marcais A, Rabeyrin M, Rabant M, Bruneval P, Racapé M, Duong Van Huyen JP, Clatworthy MR, Roufosse C, Thaunat OProc Natl Acad Sci U S A • 123(7):e2516594123 • doi: 10.1073/pnas.2516594123
The curious incident of epithelial polarity where there should be none. (2nd Mar 2026)Ball ML, Röper KJ Cell Biol • 225(3) • doi: 10.1083/jcb.202512221
Distinct TAF15 amyloid filament folds define multiple subtypes of FTLD‑TAF15. (12th Jan 2026)Tetter S, Varghese NR, Murzin AG, De Coster W, Van den Broeck M, Roeber S, Joseph JT, Newell K, Castellani R, Das S, Ang LC, Synofzik M, Herms J, Rademakers R, Ghetti B, Lashley T, Mackenzie IRA, Neumann M, Ryskeldi-Falcon BbioRxiv • doi: 10.64898/2026.01.12.698957
Multi-omic analysis of guided and unguided forebrain organoids reveals differences in cellular composition and metabolic profiles. (4th Feb 2026)Øhlenschlæger MS, Jensen P, Havelund JF, Schmidt SI, Mohamed FA, Sutcliffe M, Elmkvist SB, Criscuolo L, Wingett SW, Chiaradia I, Bayram E, Nicolaisen JAA, Jakobsen LA, Brewer J, Benros ME, Freude K, Færgeman NJ, Lancaster MA, Larsen MR, Bogetofte HCell Rep Methods • 101295 • doi: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2025.101295
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