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

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LMB achieves Leaders in Openness status
Insight on Research
The hidden rules of mRNA transport
LMB News
Edith Heard to deliver 2026 César Milstein Lecture
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Lori Passmore elected as an International Member of the National Academy of Sciences
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Manu Hegde elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Nic Farmer
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Race Equality Lead Nic Farmer receives their CMI Level 6 Award in Professional Management and Leadership Practice
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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

lmb named seminar 18 / 05 / 2026
CANCELLED John Kendrew Lecture Elena Conti, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
divisional seminar 26 / 05 / 2026
Tracing the metabolic origins of endogenous DNA damage Meng Wang, Cornell University
lmb seminar 08 / 06 / 2026
LMB Seminar: Title TBC Manuel Serrano, Altos Labs
divisional seminar 18 / 06 / 2026
Quantitative molecular models of proteome-scale signaling networks enabled by machine learning Julia Rogers, Columbia University
lmb named seminar 19 / 06 / 2026
LMB Seminar: Transcriptional trickery controls RNA abundance during viral stress Britt Glaunsinger, UC Berkeley
divisional seminar 19 / 06 / 2026
Title TBC Jonethan Pruneda, Oregon Health & Science University
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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

Architecture of clathrin-independent AP3:ARF1-coated carriers. (15th May 2026)Kaufman JGG, Tagiltsev G, Stalder DS, Taylor RJ, Sava I, Guo H, Ciazynska KA, Zaccai NR, Gray SR, Vallis Y, Höning S, Kelly BT, Gershlick DC, Briggs JAG, Owen DJSci Adv • 12(20):eaed1529 • doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aed1529
Applications and prospects of cryo-electron tomography in drug discovery and understanding disease. (14th May 2026)Clemente CM, Mobarec JC, Bharat TAMCurr Opin Struct Biol • 98:103283 • doi: 10.1016/j.sbi.2026.103283
Models for the architecture of the human inner kinetochore on centromeric α-satellite CENP-A nucleosome arrays. (12th May 2026)Yu C, Muir KW, Yang J, Zhang Z, McLaughlin SH, Barford DNat Commun • doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-72856-0
Interaction of Pf4 tactoids with bacteria and synthetic colloidal rods. (11th May 2026)Silva MO, Grobas I, Tarafder AK, Bharat TAM, Aarts DGALEur Biophys J • doi: 10.1007/s00249-026-01844-5
Modeling Synaptic Maturation From Growth Cone to Synapse in Human Organoids.Øhlenschlæger MS, Criscuolo L, Jensen P, Lloyd-Davies Sánchez DJ, Sutcliffe M, Bhosale S, Bogetofte H, Tahir M, Jakobsen LA, Pihl M, Brewer J, Schwämmle V, Poulsen FR, Freude K, Lancaster MA, Robinson PJ, Larsen MRJ Neurochem • 170(5):e70458 • doi: 10.1111/jnc.70458
Measurement of atomic scattering factors by cryoelectron microscopy. (12th May 2026)Shtyrov A, Wilson H, Slowik D, Yamashita K, Li J, Wojdyr M, Chen S, McMullan G, Short JM, Russo CJ, Henderson R, Murshudov GNProc Natl Acad Sci U S A • 123(19):e2528758123 • doi: 10.1073/pnas.2528758123
Crystal structure of HERV-K envelope glycoprotein surface subunit. (7th May 2026)Nikolopoulos N, Modis YJ Virol • e0019526 • doi: 10.1128/jvi.00195‑26
3D epithelial cell topology tunes signaling range to promote precise patterning. (12th May 2026)Paci G, Berkemeier F, Baum B, Page KM, Mao YProc Natl Acad Sci U S A • 123(19):e2522727123 • doi: 10.1073/pnas.2522727123
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