How are we preparing for the next pandemic?
Join one of our researchers Dr James Thaventhiran along with two other researchers from the Department of Medicine for a special event exploring just that
🎟️ The event is FREE but booking is required!
🔗 Link to book tickets: buff.ly/VoElzRU
If you know a scientist who is struggling with self-doubt, please send them these stories.
"Simply realising that I am not alone has given me a profound sense of strength... reading your work has already helped more than I can express."
- Dr Nicola-Maria Riley
www.cam.ac.uk/stories/camb...
I am excited to share our latest publication in @narjournal.bsky.social 🤩 Thanks to everyone who made this possible @mrc-tu.bsky.social
Functional characterisation of tumour suppressor PDCD4 reveals previously undisclosed role in the control of cell adhesion url: academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Work experience ad. Year 12 rotation July 27th-31st. Apply by 1st March.
It's the last week to apply for the LMB’s rotation work experience placements!
🗓️ 27th to 31st July
Eligibility and selection criteria apply.
Apply by 01/03
Read more: mrclmb.ac.uk/careers-and-...
#STEM #WorkExperience #BiologyCareers
The deadline to apply has now been extended to Friday the 27th February.
Prof Kiran Patil was featured today on the first episode of Toxic! - a three part series for BBC Radio 4 - which explores the world of 'forever chemicals' and his lab's exciting science that might one day help us flush PFAS out of our bodies more quickly.
Listen to the episode here: buff.ly/8GmWIs3
We will once again be heading back to @cambridgefestival.bsky.social this year with our temporary tattoo parlour which is always a hit & a new cell-based activity. Sneak peek coming soon 👀
We have extended the deadline for our fully funded MPhil programme until the 2nd April for people from underrepresented backgrounds. You can also still apply for self-funded places available to everyone.
Learn more and apply here: buff.ly/Yw1w4Lr
@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social
Congratulations to our 2025 science art competition Audience Prize winner: Ivan Yang-Ji 🏆️ 🎨
The mockumentary style video captures the intricate dance of in vitro transcription—the process of synthesising mRNA outside the cell, which is central to our research on mRNA vaccines:
This International Day of Women and Girls in Science we want to recognise:
ALL contributions that turn scientific ideas into real-world impact.
ALL the roles that support our research.
ALL of them matter.
Thank you to them all!
#IDWGS2026 #womeninscience
Researchers in the Willis lab have found that the loss of the PDCD4 protein affects cell adhesion, which could make it easier for cancer cells to detach and metastasise.
Find out more about the findings on our website:
Wonderful news that the @kiranrpatil.bsky.social Lab's research on removing PFAS 'forever chemicals' from the human body has been developed into a probiotic and can be clinically tested through this investment. 👏 👏 👏
We're hiring!
This role might be for you if you:
✔️ Have experience in building services/maintenance
✔️ Like fixing problems properly, not patching them
✔️ Want long-term value from your work
💷 £33,951–£39,906 + excellent benefits
⏳️ Apply by 18th Feb
👉 Learn more & apply: buff.ly/HvLRnZZ
Congratulations to joint winners of our Judges Prizes of our 2025 science art competition: Dr Simran Aulakh and Dr Kadri Seppa 🏆️ 🎨
Audience Prize winner announcement coming next week 👀
Learn more about their entries on our website: buff.ly/gOeA1lg
Registrations are now OPEN! Join us in Newcastle for the “RNA in Physiology and Disease” conference, an international meeting bringing together world-leading RNA biologists and emerging researchers.
Early bird deadline: 1 May
Abstract deadline: 30 June
Register now: genetics.org.uk/events/rna-i...
Congratulations to Veronica, the Willis lab & their collaborators on their most recent publication! 🎉
Our new book "Self-Doubt" is written by scientists for scientists. You might think you are alone when you doubt your ability or suitability for science - you aren't. We all question ourselves and carry doubt with us daily.
www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Doubt-A...
Year 12 work experience infographic Dates 27th - 31st July Apply by 1st March
📣 Applications are open for work experience
🧪🔬 Aimed at local Y12 students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in science
🗓️ 27/07 – 31/07
Eligibility and selection criteria apply
Applications by 01/03
More info: mrclmb.ac.uk/careers-and-...
#STEM #WorkExperience #BiologyCareers
Left side: Peter Holme Jensen, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Right side: Steen Dannemann Andersen, Chairman of the Board Photo credit: Cambiotics
MRC Toxicology Unit and Cambridge University spin out Cambiotics has successfully closed a Seed investment round of EUR ~4 million with an international consortium.
Read more: buff.ly/8tGF6j9
@cam.ac.uk @cambiochem.bsky.social
We are delighted to share that we have been awarded Silver Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation. This is a significant achievement in the MRC Toxicology Unit’s journey to conduct research more sustainably.
Read more about the award: www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk/news/unit-re...
Congratulations to Dr Ritwick Sawarkar and Dr Kadri Seppa who have been awarded €150,000 to develop a novel mRNA therapeutic approach to treat Alzheimer's disease.
Read more about the award: buff.ly/Tfk9Na7
#ERCPoC #mRNAtherapeutics #alzheimersdisease
Applications are only open for the MRC Toxicology Unit MPhil programme until this Friday (30th January)! There are four funded studentships for people from underrepresented groups, with self-funded places available to everyone.
Learn more & apply here: buff.ly/Yw1w4Lr
Congratulations to Dr Sarah Aitken, former investigator at the MRC Toxicology Unit, who has been awarded the Wyllie Medal.
Tickets are still available for our 2026 Rare Diseases Conference, taking place on Monday 23 February.
📝 Abstract submission deadline: 12th Jan.
🎟️ Registration deadline: 16th Feb.
Learn more and book tickets 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/5th-crick-...
How is RNA regulation shaped across tissues and species?
Join us for two exciting talks by Roberto Campalastri (tRNA gene regulation) @mrc-tu.bsky.social and Meenu Bhati @meenubhati.bsky.social (lncRNA discovery in the bovine genome)
Don’t miss it! Thursday 22nd 16:30h Zoom
@cambiochem.bsky.social
As we mark the start of another year, our mission remains the same: to make our medicines and environment safer & have a lasting impact on your health.
Hear from our scientists and discover more about our ground-breaking work in this longer video: buff.ly/Ph7sk8C
#research #science #medicine
In 2025, we shared research into how common pollutants affect our gut bacteria, how the mitochondria are involved in the side effects of the antipsychotic aripiprazole and how targeting translation elongation could help us developing new cancer treatments.
Find out more here: buff.ly/M3KfNbW
On the 16th June the Cambridge Alliance on Medicines Safety (CAMS) and the British Toxicology Society (BTS) will host a one day DiscoTox event on Mechanistic and Discovery Toxicology in the era of AI and NAMs.
Register your interest here buff.ly/0qIdPkZ.
Researchers in the Willis group have found that stopping translation elongation, a key step in protein production, can slow the growth of cancer cells. They identified that this works by reducing the energy producing capability of the mitochondria.
Find out more: buff.ly/XVH5Q2O
Merry Christmas from all of us at the MRC Toxicology Unit.
In this artwork by Marguerite, is a cardiac spheroid, a tiny, 3D cluster of heart cells that mimic how heart tissue behaves. These spheroids allow us to test how RNA medicines affect cells in a more realistic mini heart environment.
