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MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit

 
Read more at: MBU open for research

MBU open for research

15 June 2020

The MBU and the Keith Peters Building reopened for research today (Monday, 15 June), with those researchers present following strict University-approved protocols to protect both them and the wider community during the COVID-19 crisis. While everyone will continue to work from home whenever possible, we are delighted at...


Read more at: The MBU welcomes Dr Jelle van den Ameele

The MBU welcomes Dr Jelle van den Ameele

26 May 2020

The MBU is delighted to welcome Dr Jelle van den Ameele - a new Wellcome Clinical Research Career Development Fellow, who will start to build his independent research group under our roof. Jelle’s Research is focused on molecular mechanisms of tissue specificity in mitochondrial disease. He brings both clinical and...


Read more at: Mike Murphy awarded Wellcome Trust Joint Investigator Award

Mike Murphy awarded Wellcome Trust Joint Investigator Award

22 May 2020

We are excited to share the news that Professors Mike Murphy (MBU, Cambridge) and Richard Hartley (Glasgow) have been awarded a Wellcome Trust Joint Investigator Award of £1.6 milion for a research project entitled, ‘Exploring mitochondrial metabolism in health and disease using targeted biological chemistry’. The project...


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...