MRC Festival of Medical Research 2018 programme launches
The third annual MRC Festival of Medical Research from 14–24 June 2018 takes place in England, Scotland and Wales, online and in Africa. A wide range of free public activities involving scientists from research establishments, including MRC units, centres and institutes, will showcase MRC-funded research.
Scientists crack how primordial life on Earth might have replicated itself
Scientists have created a new type of genetic replication system which demonstrates how the first life on Earth – in the form of RNA – could have replicated itself. The scientists from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology say the new RNA utilises a system of genetic replication unlike any known to naturally occur on Earth today.
The aetiology of self-harm and eating disorders
The Medical Research Foundation and MRC will make available up to £2.5 million for new high-quality, internationally competitive research to investigate the aetiology and underpinning mechanisms of self-harm or eating disorders, including the underlying bio-psycho-social mechanistic and environmental drivers, in children, adolescents and young adults (up to 25 years).
Scientists develop a new test to diagnose peanut allergies safely and accurately
MRC scientists have developed a new laboratory test to diagnose peanut allergy. The test has 98% specificity and, unlike current options, it doesn’t run the risk of false-positives or causing allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock.
Calling all MRC-funded PhD students!
The MRC’s 2018 Max Perutz Science Writing Award is now open.
Mouse study identifies new target for human accelerated aging syndrome
Scientists have identified a potential therapeutic target in the devastating genetic disease Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), which is characterised by premature ageing.
New treatment may improve speech after stroke
A new treatment has been shown to significantly improve the speech and word production of stroke patients with aphasia.
UKRI Superheroes vs Superbugs live at the Science Museum
Next week (Weds 25 April), leading researchers from the MRC and UK research councils will join the Science Museum’s free, adults-only, late opening of the Superbugs: The Fight for Our Lives exhibition.
Technology networks awarded £3m to solve life science challenges
Five research networks, awarded £3 million through a joint technology initiative, will harness new and emerging developments from the engineering and physical sciences to advance life sciences discovery research.
Bloodless revolution in diabetes monitoring
Scientists have created a non-invasive adhesive patch, which promises the measurement of glucose levels through the skin without a finger-prick blood test, potentially removing the need for millions of diabetics to frequently carry out the painful and unpopular tests.
New Director for the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
The MRC welcomes Professor Matthew Lambon Ralph as the new Director of the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (MRC CBU). The Unit, established in 1944, became part of the University of Cambridge’s School of Clinical Medicine in 2017.
Genome sequencing of first 50,000 UK Biobank participants
UK Biobank has announced a major initiative to sequence the full genomes of 50,000 UK Biobank volunteer participants.
Researchers to investigate screening for prostate cancer using MRI
A new clinical study will test for the first time if MRI scans can be used for population screening to detect prostate cancer more accurately. The current prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is considered too unreliable for population screening, and the scientists will study if MRI could be used to screen men to pick up cancers earlier and more reliably, and help save lives.
UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships scheme is launched
The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship scheme (FLF), aims to develop, retain, attract and sustain research and innovation talent in the UK. Providing up to seven years of funding, for at least 550 early-career researchers and innovators, the scheme will tackle difficult and novel challenges.
Making best use of Big Data: MRC Mental Health Pathfinder awards
The University of Cambridge is one of nine leading universities from across the UK that will receive multi-million pound grants from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to help researchers harness the power of data science for mental health research.
Patients regain sight after being first to receive retinal tissue engineered from stem cells
The first patients to receive a new treatment derived from stem cells for people with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have regained reading vision.
M. Madan Babu to deliver the Royal Society’s 2016 Francis Crick Lecture
M. Madan Babu, a Group Leader in the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology's (LMB’s) Structural Studies Division, will deliver the annual Francis Crick Lecture at the Royal Society on 7th December 2016.
2016 John Kendrew Lecture to be given by Bonnie Bassler
Bonnie Bassler will give the 2016 John Kendrew Lecture next Monday (24th October 2016) at 11.00 in the LMB’s Max Perutz Lecture Theatre. The title of the lecture is ‘Bacterial Quorum Sensing and its Control’. The event is open to anyone in the local area who is interested in attending.
New collaboration to explore novel treatments for respiratory diseases
A charity-industry collaboration has launched an initiative to find new epigenetic drug treatments to improve the lives of millions of people affected by respiratory diseases every year.
Apprentices complete their training in MRC LMB Workshops
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) Workshops have a long history of training staff and offering apprenticeships to give the next generation of technicians the skills and experience they need in a working environment.
Richard Henderson wins Royal Society’s prestigious Copley Medal
Richard Henderson from the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology's (LMB’s) Structural Studies Division has been awarded the Royal Society’s most prestigious award, the Copley Medal. This is the world’s oldest scientific prize, first awarded in 1731.
MRC's KJ Patel elected Fellow of the Royal Society
KJ Patel, group leader in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology’s PNAC Division, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, in recognition of his outstanding research on DNA repair and chromosome breakage
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology welcomes two new group leaders
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is delighted to announce the recent arrival of two new group leaders: Rebecca Taylor and Wanda Kukulski.
Golden grids for electron microscopy licensed by Quantifoil
New specimen support grids for electron microscopy, made of pure gold and designed by Lori Passmore and Chris Russo from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology's (LMB’s) Structural Studies Division, have been licensed for production by Quantifoil Micro Tools GmbH (Quantifoil).
30 Bird and public works to be LMB Artists-in-Residence
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) has appointed 30 Bird and public works as Artists-in-Residence, starting in April 2015.