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

Fluorescent image of cells
Insight on Research
Brain defence system originates in the gut
Shahana Ahmed
LMB News
Enabling science safely: Shahana Ahmed’s journey to Health and Safety
Insight on Research
First complete connectome of male fly central nervous system allows for unprecedented male-female brain comparison
Cryo-EM structures of the proteasome
Insight on Research
Advanced microscopy uncovers proteasome compartments in sperm nuclei
Kelly Nguyen on blurred background
LMB News
The Royal Society awards Kelly Nguyen the Francis Crick Medal and Lecture
Fluorescent micrograph of a brain organoid
Insight on Research
Early developmental biases shape stem cell potential
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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 Seminars & Events

other seminar 16 / 09 / 2026
Next Generation Biophysics Symposium 2026 – Pre-registration required See link
divisional seminar 17 / 09 / 2026
Catching the DREAM: Cryo-EM Insights into Cell Cycle Regulation by the MuvB/DREAM complexes Claudio Alfieri, The Institute of Cancer Research, London
divisional seminar 17 / 09 / 2026
Learning about learning through the worm Yee Lian Chew, Associate Professor in Physiology, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
divisional seminar 22 / 09 / 2026
Mechanistic insights into aggrephagy initiation and Tau aggregate clearance Bernd Bauer, University of Vienna
divisional seminar 25 / 09 / 2026
Molecular and potency origins of early mammalian lineages Fan Zhou
divisional seminar 13 / 10 / 2026
Molecular Systems Biology Kiran Patil
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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

Prebiotically Plausible Synthesis of N-Cyanoimidazole for Phosphate Activation and Templated RNA Ligation. (9th Sep 2026)Marinic B, Ritson DJ, Wordsworth R, Sutherland JDJ Am Chem Soc • 148(35):37623-37627 • doi: 10.1021/jacs.6c16138
MemBrain v2: an end-to-end tool for the analysis of membranes in cryo-electron tomography. (8th Sep 2026)Lamm L, Zufferey S, Zhang H, Righetto RD, Waltz F, Wietrzynski W, Yamauchi KA, Burt A, Liu Y, Martinez-Sanchez A, Ziegler S, Isensee F, Schnabel JA, Engel BD, Peng TNat Methods • doi: 10.1038/s41592-026-03178-8
Intrinsic and non-cell-autonomous roles for the neurodevelopmental syndrome-linked transcription factor UNC-3/EBF. (11th Aug 2026)Smith JJ, Taylor SR, Destain H, Kim G, Hall DH, White JG, Miller DM, Kratsios PNat Commun • 17(1) • doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-76320-x
Bioimage management and analysis in Galaxy: Tools, workflows, training, and community practices. (8th Sep 2026)Kostrykin L, Massei R, Chiang D, Wollmann T, Burel JM, Tabernero DL, Sun Y, Gao Q, Paul MW, Videm P, Watson C, Franco-Barranco D, Kumar A, Goué N, Koopaei RT, Ulman V, Jum'ah K, Poterlowicz K, Etzrodt M, Muñoz-Barrutia A, Le Dévédec SE, Moore J, Goecks J, Gruening B, Rohr K, Serrano-Solano BJ Microsc • doi: 10.1111/jmi.70165
A GABARAP-PtdIns3K-C1 positive feedback loop at the heart of the phagophore nucleation. (30th Jul 2026)Dessus AN, Ohashi Y, Bourguet M, Morgan TE, Nunez A, Manifava M, Ktistakis NT, Williams RLNat Commun • 17(1) • doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-76135-w
The complete gustatory connectome of adult Drosophila reveals how taste guides feeding, foraging, and social behavior. (3rd Sep 2026)Tastekin I, de Haan Vicente I, Beresford RJ, Morris BJ, Beckett I, Schlegel P, Gkantia M, Marin EC, Costa M, Jefferis GSXE, Ribeiro CCell • 189(18):5527-5551.e5 • doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.08.016
Sexual dimorphism in the complete Drosophila male central nervous system connectome. (3rd Sep 2026)Berg S, Beckett IR, Costa M, Schlegel P, Januszewski M, Marin EC, Nern A, Preibisch S, Qiu W, Takemura SY, Fragniere AMC, Champion AS, Adjavon DY, Cook M, Gkantia M, Hayworth KJ, Huang GB, Katz WT, Kämpf F, Lu Z, Ordish C, Paterson T, Stürner T, Trautman ET, Whittle CR, Burnett LE, Hoeller J, Li F, Loesche F, Morris BJ, Pietzsch T, Pleijzier MW, Silva V, Yin Y, Ali I, Badalamente G, Bates AS, Beresford RJ, Bogovic J, Brooks P, Cachero S, Canino BS, Chaisrisawatsuk B, Clements J, Crowe A, de Haan Vicente I, Dempsey G, Donà E, Dos Santos M, Dreher M, Dunne CR, Eichler K, Finley-May S, Flynn MA, Hameed I, Hopkins GP, Hubbard PM, Kiassat L, Kovalyak J, Lauchie SA, Leonard M, Lohff A, Longden KD, Maldonado CA, Moitra I, Moon SS, Mooney C, Munnelly EJ, Okeoma N, Olbris DJ, Pai A, Patel B, Phillips EM, Plaza SM, Richards A, Rivas Salinas J, Roberts RJV, Rogers EM, Scott AL, Scuderi LA, Seenivasan P, Serratosa Capdevila L, Smith C, Svirskas R, Takemura S, Tastekin I, Thomson A, Umayam L, Walsh JJ, Whittome H, Xu CS, Yakal EA, Yang T, Zhao A, George R, Jain V, Jayaraman V, Korff W, Meissner GW, Romani S, Funke J, Knecht C, Saalfeld S, Scheffer LK, Waddell S, Card GM, Ribeiro C, Reiser MB, Hess HF, Rubin GM, Jefferis GSXECell • 189(18):5504-5526.e15 • doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.08.015
Molecular architecture and spatial organization of proteasomes in the human sperm nucleus. (1st Sep 2026)Kolata P, Dos Santos Á, Knowles O, Dendooven T, Allegretti MNat Struct Mol Biol • doi: 10.1038/s41594-026-01870-z
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