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MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit

 
Read more at: Virtual Biology Masterclass

Virtual Biology Masterclass

15 May 2020

school-photo.jpg On Wednesday, 13 May 2020, one of our final year PhD students, Jordan Morris, joined his previous secondary school by video conference. A level Biology students at YSGOL John Bright Comprehensive School , in Llandudno (North Wales) received a "Biology Masterclass" from Jordan, who discussed with them the...


Read more at: MtDNA in humans is not inherited from the paternal line

MtDNA in humans is not inherited from the paternal line

8 April 2020

In a collaborative research study with the NIHR BioResource and Genomics England published in Nature Communications , Wei Wei and Patrick Chinnery explain how large rare or unique nuclear-mitochondrial DNA segments (mega-NUMTs) can resemble paternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and find no evidence of paternal...


Read more at: Temporary building closure during the Covid-19 pandemic

Temporary building closure during the Covid-19 pandemic

20 March 2020

The Keith Peters Building closed at 5.00 pm today (Friday, 20 March 2020) and MBU members are working from home until further notice. During this time, MBU scientists and administrative staff can be contacted by email as follows: Programme Leaders and their group members: using the email links found under the "Research"...


Read more at: New discovery uncovers the complex dance of mitochondria

New discovery uncovers the complex dance of mitochondria

19 March 2020

New discovery uncovers the complex dance of mitochondria, the cellular power plant. All cells in the body contain an ancient, membrane bound compartment called mitochondria that house thousands of biochemical reactions essential for life. These reactions provide fuel for cells through the breakdown of sugar and fat, also...


Read more at: Professor Sir John Walker to be awarded Cambridge Honorary Doctorate

Professor Sir John Walker to be awarded Cambridge Honorary Doctorate

12 March 2020

Congratulations to Professor Sir John Walker, FRS , Emeritus Director of the MBU and Fellow of Sidney Sussex College . The University of Cambridge is to award John the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa at a Congregation set to take place in June 2020. John was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1997...


Read more at: MBU scientists visit Newnham Croft Primary School

MBU scientists visit Newnham Croft Primary School

11 March 2020

As part of Science Week, Olivier Biner ( Mitochondrial Complex I ) and Jessica Petri ( ATP Synthase ) visited Newnham Croft Primary School , with the aim of encouraging Reception students to enjoy science. The children participated in several experiments, including finding out about how different substances mix (or not)...


Read more at: Alex Whitworth teaches at Drosophila training workshop in Nigeria

Alex Whitworth teaches at Drosophila training workshop in Nigeria

9 March 2020

On 2 March 2020, Alex Whitworth participated in a three-day workshop on the “Role of Drosophila in Biomedical Research”. This workshop included seminars on the use and utility of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) in various aspects of biomedical research, as well as hands-on training in practical aspects of keeping...


Read more at: Visitors from Jersey

Visitors from Jersey

28 February 2020

On Thursday, 27 February the MRC hosted a visit by secondary students from Jersey. Martin King gave his "Biology Master Class' and held discussions aimed at bridging the gap between A levels and university; John Walker gave an explanation of ATP synthase and the Lego model and the students visited Alex Whitworth's...


Read more at: Rare Disease Day 2020

Rare Disease Day 2020

28 February 2020

29 February this year is the thirteenth international Rare Disease Day , coordinated by EURORDIS . Awareness-raising activities are taking place all over the world. On Friday, 28 February, the MBU held its second annual face-painting event – the rare disease was represented by the different coloured fox!


Read more at: MBU Postdocs visit the Sahlgrenska Academy

MBU Postdocs visit the Sahlgrenska Academy

23 January 2020

Drs Jan Miljkovic and Hiran Prag recently visited the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, where they presented their research at the Academy's first seminar series on "Metabolism and Redox Network in Health and Disease". Jan and Hiran are members of the MBU's Mitochondrial Dysfunction research group, led...