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MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit

 
Read more at: ISAC/M 2024: Inspiring Scientists at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit

ISAC/M 2024: Inspiring Scientists at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit

5 March 2024

This free, widening participation programme for Cambridgeshire-based Year 12 students (16+) took place from 20-22 February (half-term) at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MBU), in association with St Catharine's College , Cambridge. This was our second year of...


Read more at: Whitworth group research identifies an important PINK1/Parkin mitophagy regulator

Whitworth group research identifies an important PINK1/Parkin mitophagy regulator

20 February 2024

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key pathogenic driver of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Extensive research has established that the PD-linked genes, PINK1 and Parkin, are important factors mediating the degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria via mitophagy. Hence, there is intense interest in...


Read more at: Display on "Mitochondrial Energy" at the Irish Patchwork Society Exhibition

Display on "Mitochondrial Energy" at the Irish Patchwork Society Exhibition

14 February 2024

Mary Heseltine is a retired data analyst who now concentrates her interests in textiles. Mary contributed to a textile exhibition in connection with the celebration of the 1500 th anniversary of the birth of St Brigid, which opened in Dublin on 1 February 2024, in conjunction with the (new) early Spring Festival Bank...


Read more at: A break in mitochondrial endosymbiosis as a basis for inflammatory diseases

A break in mitochondrial endosymbiosis as a basis for inflammatory diseases

8 February 2024

A review co-authored by Professor Mike Murphy has been published in Nature . Mitochondria retain bacterial traits due to their endosymbiotic origin, but host cells do not recognize them as foreign because the organelles are sequestered. However, the regulated release of mitochondrial factors into the cytosol can trigger...


Read more at: Whitworth group research links mitochondrial calcium disruptions to multiple neurodegenerative diseases

Whitworth group research links mitochondrial calcium disruptions to multiple neurodegenerative diseases

23 January 2024

Mitochondrial dysfunction and calcium dysregulation are commonly observed in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, but mechanisms linking these are poorly understood in the context of neurodegeneration. In a study led by Dr Alex Whitworth (MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit) and recently published in Cell Reports, Twyning et al...


Read more at: Research from the Minczuk and Prudent Groups on the cover of Nucleic Acids Research

Research from the Minczuk and Prudent Groups on the cover of Nucleic Acids Research

30 November 2023

A method paper describing a tool for automated, single-cell mitochondrial foci quantification and analysis- mtFociCounter - developed by Timo Rey, a former postdoc in the Minczuk Group , in collaboration with Luis Carlos Tábara, a postdoc in the Prudent Group , has been highlighted on the cover of the current issue of...


Read more at: Current Opinion in Structural Biology - Best Paper Award for Researchers in Judy Hirst's Group

Current Opinion in Structural Biology - Best Paper Award for Researchers in Judy Hirst's Group

13 November 2023

A review authored by members of Professor Judy Hirst’s research group has been announced as one of Current Opinion in Structural Biology ’s best papers of 2022. " Making the leap from structure to mechanism: are the open states of mammalian complex I identified by cryoEM resting states or catalytic intermediates? " by...


Read more at: Big Biology Day 2023

Big Biology Day 2023

17 October 2023

On Saturday, 14 October 2023, fifteen members of the MBU participated in the Big Biology Day, held at Hills Road Sixth Form College. Using hands on, interactive activities, MBU members (senior and junior scientists) showcased the Unit's research on mitochondria, giving explanations and career advice. Our activities this...


Read more at: Portrait of John Walker unveiled at Sidney Sussex College

Portrait of John Walker unveiled at Sidney Sussex College

5 October 2023

On Wednesday, 4 October, members of the MBU and the LMB past and present, along with Fellows of Sidney Sussex College, members of John's family and friends, attended the unveiling ceremony of the portrait, by Frances Bell , of Professor Sir John Walker . Of course, Frances Bell was there too. Frances is a member of the...


Read more at: PHAsT upscales its eco-friendly bacterial fermentation at the MBU

PHAsT upscales its eco-friendly bacterial fermentation at the MBU

4 October 2023

Last week, supported by funding from a UKRI Impact Accelerator Grant proposed by Ipsita Roy and David Gregory, members of PHAsT visited the MBU and upscaled its fermentation PHA process to the 100L scale - ending up with fantastic yields! Our Fermenter Facility Supervisor, Shane Palmer , provided significant support...