Results of a collaborative research study involving MBU scientists, "Germline selection shapes human mitochondrial DNA diversity", published in Science today suggest that changes in human mitochondrial DNA are shaped by our nuclear DNA.
University of Cambridge press release
On 7 May 2019, Nobel Laureate Professor Sir John Walker FRS, FMedSci was presented with the University of Helsinki Silver Medal, the University's highest award, in recognition of his contributions to bioenergetics and structural biology and for advising the University's Institute of Biotechnology, as a member of its Advisory Board for nearly twenty years from 1999 to 2018.
The Unit is delighted to announce that Judy Hirst and Mike Murphy have been elected Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Fellows are elected based on their outstanding contributions to advancing medical science, cutting edge research discoveries, and translating developments into benefits for patients and wider society.
A study published today in Cell Reports led by Dr Alex Whitworth’s Mitochondrial Neurodegeneration group, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Padova, report the generation of a comprehensive toolkit for analysing the mitochondrial calcium uniporter in Drosophila.
On Thursday, 4 April, Professor Sir Keith Peters unveiled a plaque in reception to mark the formal re-naming of the Wellcome Trust/MRC Building as The Keith Peters Building. We share this building with the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research (CIMR). Further information about the renaming event is available via CIMR's website.
Today, 1 April 2019, marks the tenth anniversary of the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit and the appointment of Professor Judy Hirst, FRS, as Interim Director.
Following a Strategic Review in 2008, the MBU was launched in 2009 by Professor Leszek Borysiewicz, who was then the Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council and later the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.
The Biochemical Society has announced Professor Judy Hirst FRS as the next Keilin Memorial Lecturer.
This award is given every two years to a scientist who has contributed to knowledge in a field related to the interests of David Keilin in bioenergetics, electron transfer and mitochondrial biology.
Congratulations to Olivier Biner, who has been awarded a Junior Research Fellowship by Christ's College, Cambridge. Olivier is a postdoctoral scientist, working in the complex I research group, which is led by our Deputy Director, Professor Judy Hirst.
On Sunday, 24 March 2019 eleven members of the MRC MBU represented the Unit at the Cambridge Science Festival.
Discovering the mechanism of energy production in mitochondria
Massimo Zeviani has announced that he will leave the MBU at the end of September 2019. From 1 October, Massimo will take up a Professorship at the University of Padova in Italy, his alma mater.
With effect from 1 April 2019, Judy Hirst has been appointed as Interim Director of the MBU and she will steer the Unit forwards, until the appointment of our next Director.
Under Massimo’s directorship the Unit has formed strong links between basic science and clinical medicine, and we wish him all the very best for the future.
