QMUL Centre for Molecular Cell Biology News

Scientists create the first 3D nanoscale maps of human airway epithelium, revealing the hidden ...

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:00:00 +0100

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and University of Cambridge in collaboration with colleagues at HHMI Janelia and NIH, have created some of the most detailed three-dimensional maps ever generated of human airway cells, revealing how the specialised cells that protect our lungs are built and organised. The study, published in Cell Reports, combines advanced volume electron microscopy with super-resolution light microscopy to reconstruct individual airway cells in three dimensions at nanometre resolution. The work provides an unprecedented view of how the internal structures of human cells are organised as airway cells mature and acquire specialised functions. "Our understanding of cells has traditionally relied on looking at thin 2D slices or individual molecular components," said Dr Vito Mennella, Reader in Nanoscale Biology at Queen Mary University of London and senior author of the study. "By reconstructing complete cells in three dimensions, we can now see how the different parts of a cell are arranged and connected, providing a much more complete and time resolved picture of how human tissues are made and function." The nanoscale maps have the potential to provide a better understanding of respiratory diseases. Many lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, involve changes or damage to airway cells. By comparing diseased cells with these healthy reference maps, researchers could pinpoint exactly what changes occur, revealing early warning signs and mechanisms of disease and providing new treatment targets. A new way to see human cells The airway epithelium, the thin layer of cells that line the inside surface of the respiratory tract, forms the first line of defense against the external environment, continuously protecting the lungs from inhaled particles, pathogens, and pollutants. To perform this role, airway cells undergo a highly organised process of differentiation, developing specialised structures including motile cilia - the microscopic, hair-like structures that extend from the surface of certain cells - which help clear material from the respiratory tract. Until now, it has not been possible to follow this process, capturing the complete three-dimensional organisation of the cell and its internal components. The researchers combined large-scale three-dimensional volume electron microscopy with AI based segmentation, super-resolution microscopy, and CRISPR Cas9 KO approaches allowing them to connect information across different biological scales—from entire cells and organelles down to the function of specific molecular structures. This multimodal approach revealed unexpected complexity and plasticity in the architecture of airway cells and uncovered previously unrecognised relationships and physical contacts between cellular structures involved in building and maintaining the machinery required for airway defence. A publicly available resource for the scientific community A key outcome of the study is the creation of an openly accessible digital resource generated in collaboration with the enhanced FIB-SEM imaging shared resource at HHMI Janelia. The resulting nanoscale datasets will be made available to researchers worldwide through the CellMap initiative, supporting broader exploration and reuse by the scientific community. The datasets will also be linked with the LungMAP and the EMBL-EBI Cell Ontology efforts, allowing these nanoscale maps to be integrated with existing molecular and cellular reference resources. "These are not simply images—they are detailed digital representations of human cells that can be explored, analysed and reused by scientists around the world," said Dr Mennella. "By making these resources openly available, we hope to accelerate discoveries in lung biology, respiratory disease and the development of new computational approaches for studying human cells." Implications for human health Understanding how healthy airway cells are assembled provides an essential reference point for investigating diseases where these structures become disrupted, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and inherited disorders affecting cilia function. "Our lab is currently involved in a major nanopathology effort aimed at understanding how chronic respiratory diseases change the single cell biology of the airway to identify new therapeutic targets." said Dr Vito Mennella. The study also demonstrates how advances in imaging, computational biology and artificial intelligence are transforming biomedical research. Large-scale cellular maps such as these could provide the foundation for future AI-driven approaches to understand human biology and predict how cells respond to disease or treatment. By contributing detailed nanoscale reconstructions of human airway cells, this work represents a step towards a future where researchers can navigate the complexity of human tissues with the same precision that modern maps allow us to explore the world around us. Volume Electron Microscopy Volume electron microscopy (volume EM) enables scientists to create high-resolution 3D images of cells and tissues at a scale that was previously impossible. It is one of the most promising technologies to watch because it overcomes the limitations of traditional electron microscopy, providing unprecedented insights into diseases such as cancer and enabling ambitious projects like mapping the brain in extraordinary detail. Notes: 3D Nanoscale Reconstruction of Human Airway 2 Multiciliogenesis Reveals Cellular Architecture Remodeling and Cilia to Mitochondria Link Through Rootlets published xx date in Cell Reports can be accessed here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124726007928?via%3Dihub DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202602140 Figure 1. FIB-SEM 3D reconstruction of the human airway multiciliated epithelium (A) Workflow for FIB-SEM 3D reconstruction of the human airway epithelium. (B) 3D volume segmentation of the human nasal airway epithelium containing early differentiating and differentiated multiciliated cells (MCCs, right), and airway basal stem progenitor cell (left). (C) Examples of organelles identification on 2D SEM micrographs using segmentation masks. (D) 3D volume segmentations of an early differentiating and MCC apical regions shown in side view. (E) Top: high-magnification inset from (D) showing 3D reconstruction of a centriole rosette. Arrowheads indicate rosette with associated vesicle, growing axoneme (Ax), basal bodies (BB), and fibro-granular material (FGM; perimeter in gold highlights electron-dense region). Bottom: corresponding 2D SEM image overlaid with segmentation contours. Empty arrowheads indicate rosette, BB, and FGM. (F) Top: high-magnification inset from (D) of MCC volume. Arrowheads indicate fully formed Ax, rootlets (ROOT), BB, and aligned basal feet (BF). Bottom: corresponding 2D EM image overlaid with segmentation contours. Empty arrowheads indicate Ax, BB, mitochondria, and rootlets. rootlet segmentation contours are traced from the basal body proximal region toward the cytoplasmic interior across the full volume. (G) Organelle breakdown of the 3D FIB-SEM reconstruction from (B).

Bacteria form 'herds' to survive predators, offering fresh insight into Earth's carbon cycle

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:00:00 +0100

Researchers at the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology have discovered that tiny photosynthetic bacteria band together into protective "herds" when attacked by predators – a survival strategy that could also influence how carbon is stored in the world's waters. Professor Conrad Mullineaux from the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology, said: "It was fascinating to look in the microscope and see a complex predator-prey relationship unfolding on such a tiny scale. It reminds me of lions and wildebeest on the Serengeti - you can see P. aeruginosa catching and lysing those cyanobacteria that were a bit too slow to get into the herd". Read the full press release to learn more about these research findings. Follow the link to access the full study.

FLY-NEUROCAN Workshop

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:00:00 +0100

Dr Isabel M Palacios from CMCB contributed with her charity DrosAfrica to the FLY-NEUROCAN Workshop, held from 15–26 June 2026 at the Drosophila Research and Training Centre (DRTC), Ibadan, Nigeria. Isa, together with other DrosAfrica members and other Drosophilist in the world, taught participants from various countries in Africa how to use Drosophila as a model system for studying human diseases such as neurodegeneration or cancer. Isa spent one week with the participants from early morning to evening with lectures and practicals.

Environmental bacteria can be engineered to break down plastics

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 23:00:00 +0100

A new study published in Trends in Biotechnology, led by José I. Jiménez from Imperial College London and involving collaborators from the University of Surrey, Northwest University, Leipzig University, Kyungpook National University, Bacmine, and RWTH Aachen University, together with Zheren Zhang from the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology, shows how environmental bacteria can be engineered to break down and grow on PET plastic. The research focused on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), one of the most widely used plastics in packaging and textiles, which persists in the environment as macro- and microplastic pollution. While enzymes that break down PET have been studied extensively in the test tube, living microbial systems able to use PET directly as a food source have remained scarce, particularly for hard-to-collect waste such as microplastics. To address this, the team isolated an environmental strain of Pseudomonas umsongensis capable of feeding on terephthalic acid, one of PET's building blocks, and engineered it to secrete a highly active PET-degrading enzyme (PHL7). Combined with a solvent-based pretreatment that makes the plastic more accessible to enzymes, the engineered bacterium was able to hydrolyse PET and use it to sustain its own growth. Crucially, the strain also survived and broke down PET microplastics in untreated wastewater, outperforming a naturally occurring plastic-degrading bacterium under the same conditions. These findings point towards using engineered microbes for the bioremediation of microplastic pollution and the sustainable upcycling of plastic waste into value-added products. Explore this study in more detail: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.06.008

DrosAfrica Celebrates the Launch of BloSTEMEI -Expanding their Partnership in STEM Education

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0100

DrosAfrica are delighted to announce the launch of the Blossom STEM Education Initiative (BloSTEMEI) , a new non-profit organisation that has grown from their long-standing partnership with Droso4Nigeria. DrosAfrica was co-created by Dr Palacios from the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology as a charity dedicated to advancing scientific education and research across Africa. For years, DrosAfrica has proudly supported Droso4Nigeria in delivering hands-on biology outreach across Nigeria. Today, they celebrate their evolution into BloSTEMEI, an initiative that broadens their shared mission to encompass science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education across Africa. BloSTEMEI will continue the impactful work started by Droso4Nigeria while expanding into new areas of STEM capacity building, teacher training, and research-driven outreach. Together, they remain committed to nurturing the next generation of African scientists, educators, and innovators through: Hands‑on, inquiry‑based learning programmes Mentorship and professional development for educators and early‑career researchers Research‑driven STEM outreach Collaborative projects that link education with real‑world STEM challenges This exciting new chapter builds on the strong networks, trust, and community relationships developed through years of joint outreach. DrosAfrica looks forward to continuing this collaboration and supporting BloSTEMEI as they grow a sustainable, locally‑led ecosystem for STEM education. Explore BloSTEMEI and DrosAfrica

New study reveals far-red photosynthesis

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0100

A recent study published in Science Advances led by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and involving collaborators from Imperial College London and Tanai Cardona from the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology sheds new light on an unusual mode of photosynthesis. The research focused on Acaryochloris marina NIES-2412, a cyanobacterium capable of performing photosynthesis using far-red light. By integrating spectroscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, and bioinformatic approaches, the team characterised the structural and functional features that enable this organism to utilise light at wavelengths of up to ~760 nm, substantially beyond the ~700 nm limit typical of most plants. This capability arises from the bacterium's use of chlorophyll d, rather than the chlorophyll a found in plants, allowing it to absorb red-shifted light and extend the range of usable solar energy. These findings provide important mechanistic insights into how photosynthetic systems can adapt to low-energy light environments. Crucually, they offer a potential blueprint for engineering crops with the avbility to capture far-red light alongside visible wavelengths, a development that could significantly enhance photosynthetic efficiency and boost agricltural productivity. Explore this study in more detail: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aed7355

Chengchen Wu shortlisted for QMUL Research Technician 2026

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0100

As part of The Queen Mary Research and Innovation Awards 2026 this award is given to a member of technical staff whose exceptional practical skills, commitment and vision has enabled the highest quality research, innovation or knowledge exchange. Chengchen Wu, Cell Dynamics & Super Resolution Technican at the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology, plays a pivotal role in advancing Queen Mary's research capabilities through her leadership of our cutting-edge live-cell super-resolution imaging facilities. She manages and develops highly specialised microscopy systems, enabling researchers to visualise cellular processes at unprecedented resolution. Her technical expertise, innovation in method development and dedication to training have significantly increased research quality and productivity, contributing to high-impact publications and international collaborations.

Summer research internships for undergraduate students

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0100

Ten talented undergraduate students from across a wide range of Science and Engineering programmes are embarking on exciting summer research internships under the mentorship of academic supervisors. This fantastic opportunity has been made possible through the QMUL Summer Training Research Initiative to Support Diversity and Equality (STRIDE) and the London Mathematical Society's Undergraduate Research Bursaries (URB) scheme. Spanning the full breadth of Science and Engineering, these diverse and innovative projects offer students a unique chance to explore research, develop new skills, and gain first-hand experience of academic discovery. We hope the programme will inspire the next generation of researchers and ignite a lasting passion for scientific inquiry. Below, you can find the full list of projects, students, and supervisors taking part in this year's programme. Zahra Ibrahim Ahmed Yusuf: An inclusive approach to measuring depression in neurodivergent young adults from diverse backgrounds (supervisor Giorgia Michelini) Tahran Tinnin Motlib-Siddiqui: Bioelectronic Sensors for Lanthanides (supervisor Lin Su) Radoslaw Bukowiński: LoRa-Based Satellite Ground Station Development and Link Analysis using the TinyGS Network (supervisor Fatma Benkhelifa) Mohammed Rizwan Miah: Offshore Aquaculture Renewables (supervisor Eldad Avital) Elsie Chidera Obiako: Developing AI tools for image-based diagnosis (supervisor Shaheer U Saeed) Amina Abulrahim Montalto: Domestic Water Recycling (supervisor Eldad Avital) Nursen Adiba Chowdhury: Synthesis, Fabrication and Characterization of Novel Antiferroelectric Materials (supervisor Giuseppe Viola) Ivet Lobo: Combinatorial search algorithms- AI and Machine Learning vs Integer Optimization (supervisor Thomas Prellberg) Zishan Xu: Higher order hyperbolic problems with singularities (LMS URB, supervisor Claudia Garetto) Oliver Leo Carter: Matroids that maximase a valuative invariant (LMS URB, supervisors Alex Fink and Mark Jerrum)

Kinesin motor proteins emerge as potential targets for neurodegenerative disease

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0100

A study at the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology (Palacios lab in collaboration with Whitworth lab and Talisman Therapeutics Ltd, Cambridge, UK) demonstrates that the motor proteins kinesin-1 and kinesin-3 are required for the survival of both Drosophila and human neurons and shows that increasing their activity can alleviate neurodegenerative defects in a model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurons depend on efficient intracellular transport to move organelles and other cargoes across their long cellular processes. Defects in this transport system have been linked to several neurodegenerative disorders. Using both Drosophila and human iPSC-derived neurons, the researchers found that reducing kinesin levels disrupts neuronal development and survival. The team then investigated whether boosting kinesin activity could protect neurons from neurodegeneration. Using a humanised Drosophila model expressing a pathogenic amyloid-β, associated with familial AD, they found that increasing levels of kinesin-1 or kinesin-3 restored normal neuronal morphology and improved age-dependent locomotor defects. These findings identify kinesins as promising targets for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative disease. Building on this, the Palacios lab, in collaboration with the Bulgakova lab, has secured funding to identify small-molecule activators of kinesin-1 (from MRC–AstraZeneca). Reference: Deepthy Francis, Francesco Paonessa, Victoria L. Hewitt, Maria Southall, Isabel Peset, Alexander J. Whitworth, Frederick J. Livesey, Caroline C. G. Fabre, Isabel M. Palacios. Investigating how changes in the levels of kinesins impact neuronal health in Drosophila and human iPSC-derived neurons AD model. Open Biol 1 May 2026; 16 (5): 250319. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.250319

Innovation paves way to make 'clean' chemicals, plastics and food using solar energy

Mon, 18 May 2026 23:00:00 +0100

Integrated solar reactor uses sunlight, water, CO2 and engineered bacteria to grow biomass in a single beaker. A new study led by Dr Lin Su of Queen Mary University of London, published today in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, describes a new integrated solar reactor in which engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) are grown directly inside the same liquid that converts CO₂ into a usable energy source using sunlight. In future, this technology may be used to make environmentally clean chemicals, plastics or even microbial protein. The device combines an organic solar cell, a semiconductor electrode, two enzymes, and an engineered bacterium, and converts CO₂ and water into living biomass, reproducing the stages of natural photosynthesis without any plant, alga or photosynthetic microbes. Solar powered chemistry and engineered bacteria Today's chemical industry runs on fossil fuels. Two clean alternatives are growing in parallel: solar-powered chemistry, where sunlight turns CO₂ into useful small molecules, and engineered bacteria, which can be programmed to make a wide range of chemicals. Several earlier biohybrid devices have already placed an abiotic light absorber and a microbe inside the same reactor, using different combinations of catalysts, intermediates and host organisms. This paper asks: can the same one-pot integration be achieved using a set of components that are tractable to engineering on both sides, specifically an organic light absorber, a purified enzyme as the CO₂-reduction catalyst, the soluble single-carbon energy carrier formate, and an engineered E. coli chassis? This combination matters because each of these components can be independently tuned or swapped (the solar cell redesigned, the enzyme re-engineered, the strain rewired for a target product), giving a platform that is designed to be modified rather than fixed to one chemistry. For a clean chemical industry to replace the fossil-fuel one, the chemistry that captures CO₂ and the biology that turns it into useful products will eventually need to share the same device. Two-step processes with manual transfer between reactors are too expensive and inefficient to scale. This work is an early demonstration that the chemistry and the biology can be made compatible inside one beaker, which is the foundation for any future integrated solar refinery for chemicals, materials, and microbial protein. Inside the reactor, sunlight powers two reactions, and a third reaction follows in the same liquid. Sunlight splits water on one electrode, releasing oxygen for the bacteria to breathe. It powers an enzyme on a second electrode that captures CO₂ from the liquid and turns it into formate, a small molecule that carries the captured solar energy in a form the bacteria can use as fuel. The bacteria then take up the formate, burn it for energy using the oxygen the device just made, and use that energy to build themselves out of more CO₂ dissolved in the same liquid. Sunlight goes in. Living bacteria come out. The value of the work is showing that the full chain, from photons to E. coli biomass in one liquid, is possible at all. This opens the way to swapping in engineered strains that produce target chemicals beyond biomass. Dr Lin Su, a lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, said: "Previously the problem with trying to make living biomass like bacteria in a solar powered chemical reactor, is that the chemistry typically releases toxic metal ions that poison the bacteria. We have shown that a solar-powered chemical reactor and engineered bacteria can share a single beaker, using sunlight, water and CO₂ to grow living biomass safely. "Once that integration works, a synthetic biologist can plug a different engineered E. coli strain into the same hardware to produce a different molecule. "While it is at an early stage, with the yields still small and the reactor running for hours rather than weeks, it is very promising." Dr Celine Wing See Yeung, from the University of Cambridge, said: "The project came together like a jigsaw puzzle shaped by years of research—from enabling organic photovoltaics to function at high temperatures to advancing enzyme purification and integrating it with synthetic biology. Together, we show how materials chemistry and synthetic biology can join forces to develop solar powered chemical refineries of the future." Professor Ron Milo, from the Weizmann Institute of Science, said: "The successful integration of these two systems is going to be key to sustainable production technologies. Advancements in growing bacteria using CO2 open the way for supplying our food in a way that uses much less land and water and can scale to meaningfully dampen the climate and ecological challenges humanity faces" Professor Erwin Reisner, from the University of Cambridge, said: "Our study demonstrates that synthetic light absorbers can be integrated with non-photosynthetic microbes to power the core reaction of natural photosynthesis. This achievement was made possible through a cross-disciplinary approach by careful selection and combination of semiconductors with isolated enzymes and engineered microbes in a solar-powered device. This approach opens up exciting new opportunities to produce high-value chemicals through semi-biological systems for sustainable manufacturing by taking advantage of the frontiers in synthetic biology." Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6c03677

New insights into the control of cell-to-cell variation within bacterial communities

Sat, 16 May 2026 23:00:00 +0100

By analysing gene expression at the single-cell level, researchers at the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of West London and Tampere University, have uncovered how premature termination of transcription shapes differences between individual members of bacterial communities. Because gene expression is stochastic and naturally occurs in short, irregular bursts, bacterial communities display significant cell-to-cell variation. Published in Science Advances, the study demonstrates that regulation of stochastic gene expression does not stop at transcription initiation, premature termination of transcription of metabolic genes also plays an active role in shaping transcriptional bursts and controlling variability. Different regulatory architectures modulate either the size or frequency of these bursts. The soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis uses premature termination of transcription to maintain controlled cellular heterogeneity that could support resilience in spatially uneven environments such as soil, whereas the gut bacterium Escherichia coli combines control of transcription initiation with premature termination to enable rapid, switch-like responses to external metabolic cues that could facilitate adaptation to fluctuating conditions such as host feeding cycles. The study further reveals that bacteria do not act in isolation; through metabolite exchange, cells can influence each other's gene expression, driving changes in cell-to-cell variation via intercellular regulation of transcription, enabling coordinated, community-level behaviour. Reference: Moradian S, Ali N, Jagadeesan R, Behrends V, Sanches Ribeiro A, Engl C. (2026) Premature transcription termination modulates stochastic gene expression in bacteria. Sci Adv 12(20):eaed0831. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aed0831

Covalent probes help identify a key vulnerability in cellular senescence

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:00:00 +0100

Researchers from the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology contributed to a study of cellular senescence published in the journal Nature Cell Biology. Cellular senescence is a stress-response state in which cells permanently stop dividing but remain metabolically active, contributing to tissue repair and tumor suppression, while the accumulation of persistent senescent cells can drive ageing and diseases including cancer. The study comprised a phenotypic screen of a covalent library of ~10,000 compounds to identify senolytics with novel mechanisms of action. Using target deconvolution approaches, including chemical proteomics with alkyne-tagged probes, the researchers identified glutathione peroxidase GPX4 as a key vulnerability of senescent cells. Senescent cells are primed for ferroptosis but rely on GPX4 to suppress toxic lipid peroxidation. Hence, GPX4 inhibition selectively eliminated senescent cells in cellular and in vivo cancer models, highlighting GPX4 inhibition as a promising strategy for targeting cellular senescence. Reference: D'Ambrosio, M., White, M.E.H., Gavriil, E.S. et al. Electrophilic compound screening identifies GPX4-dependent ferroptosis as a senescence vulnerability. Nat Cell Biol 28, 915–929 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-026-01921-z

New Minireview on the impact of cyanobacterium Synechocystis research

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:00:00 +0100

Researchers from the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology have co-authored a Minireview exploring the impact of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, the most widely studied laboratory cyanobacterium. The article appears in a Special Series on the History of Microbial Model Systems published in the Journal of Bacteriology. Working in collaboration with colleagues from the Universities of Freiburg, Rostock, and Tübingen, the team traces how Synechocystis PCC 6803 became established as a central model organism in photosynthesis research. The review highlights the organism's methodological advantages and outlines the significant contributions that studies of Synechocystis have made to our understanding of photosynthetic processes and the biology of phototrophic microorganisms. The Minireview provides valuable insight into how this model system continues to shape discoveries in microbial physiology and bioenergetics. Reference: Doello S, Hammerl J, Forchhammer K, Hagemann M, Hess WR, Mullineaux CW, Wilde A. 2026. From pond to platform: how Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 became the default model cyanobacterium. J Bacteriol 208:e00535-25. https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00535-25.

New study of microtubule end stabilisation by human kinetochores

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100

During cell division, each of the two daughter cells must receive exactly one copy of the mother cell's genome. To achieve this precision, chromosomes need to be firmly attached to microtubules, dynamic filaments that form the mitotic spindle. To understand how this firm attachments are held together, researchers at the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology reconstituted them using purified components in vitro. Their study, published in the EMBO Journal, uses methods of structural biology to resolve how teams of molecules assemble at the ends of microtubules and hold them together, preventing microtubules from falling apart. The key to forming this stable attachment is cooperation between molecules, such as the Ndc80 and Ska protein complexes: several copies of each complex join together in a self-assembling oligomer that holds the end of a microtubule together. These results reveal a molecular mechanism that allows healthy human cells to divide without errors. Reference: Radhakrishnan, R.M., Stokes, L., Day, M. et al. Microtubule end stabilisation by cooperative oligomers of Ska and Ndc80 complexes. EMBO J 45, 2905–2937 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-026-00749-5

UK Annual Bioenergetics Conference

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Location: Arts 2 Lecture Hall and Foyer Join us for the UK Christmas Bioenergetics Meeting on 15th December! Plenary Lecture: Redox Regulation of Photosynthetic Electron Transport by Anja Krieger (CEA, Sacley, France). Have a look at the preliminary programme to find out more. As usual, there is no registration fee. The event is sponsored by the Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainability and the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology at QMUL, as well as the Biochemical Society and PSI. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. To make sure that we order enough food and drink, we'd be grateful if you could fill in registration as soon as possible. Student members of the Biochemical society are welcome to apply for travel support . See you soon!

New Study Reveals Hidden Diversity in How Bacteria Respond to Antibiotics

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Researchers at the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology and Experimental and Applied Physics together with colleagues at the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London have uncovered a new mechanism that helps bacteria survive antibiotic treatment. Published in Nature Communications, their research shows that RNA repair in E. coli not only enables survival of ribosome-targeting antibiotics but also creates differences in resistance between individual cells within a population. This discovery highlights the complexity of bacterial survival strategies and opens new avenues for tackling antibiotic resistance. Hindley, H.J., Gong, Z., Moradian, S. et al. Heterogeneity in responses to ribosome-targeting antibiotics mediated by bacterial RNA repair. Nat Commun 16, 9620 (2025). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-64759-3.

The London Consortium for Cryo-EM (LonCEM) annual symposium

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 23:00:00 +0100

The London Consortium for Cryo-EM (LonCEM) annual symposium When: Wednesday 10th September 2025, from 12:00 - 18:45. Where: Graduate Centre, Mile End campus, QMUL. The programme will feature talks from industry showcasing the use of this technology, a keynote lecture, and presentations from consortium partner institutions, including QMUL. The day will conclude with a panel discussion on "Exploring the Future of Cryo-EM" with leading experts and industry representatives, followed by a networking session with a drinks reception. Registration is free and can be completed using the link below. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/4th-london-consortium-for-cryo-em-loncem-symposium-tickets-1401633857599?aff=oddtdtcreator We look forward to seeing you at the event.