MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit |

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The strategic mission of the MBU is to understand mitochondrial biology in health and disease, and to exploit this understanding to develop new therapies and improve human health.

Structure of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier visualised by cryo-electron microscopy

18 April 2025

Fifty years since its discovery, scientists in the laboratory of Professor Edmund Kunji have finally worked out how a molecular machine found in mitochondria allows us to make the fuel we need from sugars, a process vital to all life on Earth. In collaboration with the groups of Professors Vanessa Leone at the Medical...

Pretzel Therapeutics, an MBU spin-out company, launches Phase 1 clinical study

4 April 2025

Pretzel Therapeutics has announced the initiation of recruitment for a Phase 1 clinical study of PX578, the lead therapeutic in its bioenergetics restoration phase. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple ascending...

Cambridge Festival 2025 - Biomedical Campus Day

26 March 2025

On 22 March, members of the MBU enjoyed a very successful event at the Cambridge Festival Biomedical Campus Day. Our scientists showcased the Unit's research through the use of games and activities aimed audiences of all ages. The event was hosted at the Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology , where we shared a...

Batten Disease Global Research Initiative Grant for Kasparas Petkevicius

19 March 2025

Congratulations to Kasparas Petkevicius , who has been awarded a grant of $50,000 from the Batten Disease Global Research Initiative , which will fund a research project “Exploring the efficacy of bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate synthesis pathway intermediates in treating CLN8 Batten disease in preclinical models.” Batten...

Mitochondrial superoxide regulates pro-inflammatory macrophages

6 March 2025

Pro-inflammatory macrophages produce mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (mtROS) such as superoxide, but it is not understood how it is produced or how it affects macrophage effector functions. Published in Nature Metabolism , results of a study led by Professor Mike Murphy , who that mitochondrial superoxide is...

New research uncovers a novel family of phospholipid remodelling enzymes

6 March 2025

Phospholipids, the fundamental building blocks of cellular membranes, are continuously remodelled to ensure membrane integrity and function. A new study from the lab of Dr Kasparas Petkevicius at the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, published in Science Advances , demonstrates that TRAM-LAG1-CLN8 (TLC) family proteins...

ISAC/M 2025: Inspiring Scientists at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit

27 February 2025

This annual free, widening participation programme for Cambridgeshire-based Year 12 students (16+) took place from 18-21 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. Ten students were involved in...

Cambridge signs sustainable research agreement

14 February 2025

The University of Cambridge has become a signatory to the ground-breaking Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice , joining 70 signatories and supporting organisations (as of 13 February 2025). "Not only is the Concordat a very welcome initiative to bring the sector together and...

MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit

mrc_mbu_cambridge_rgb.png

mrc_mbu_cambridge_rgb.png

The strategic mission of the MBU is to understand mitochondrial biology in health and disease, and to exploit this understanding to develop new therapies and improve human health.

Structure of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier visualised by cryo-electron microscopy

Pretzel Therapeutics, an MBU spin-out company, launches Phase 1 clinical study

Cambridge Festival 2025 - Biomedical Campus Day

Batten Disease Global Research Initiative Grant for Kasparas Petkevicius

Mitochondrial superoxide regulates pro-inflammatory macrophages

New research uncovers a novel family of phospholipid remodelling enzymes

ISAC/M 2025: Inspiring Scientists at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit

Cambridge signs sustainable research agreement

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