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.

Researchers have found that the antipsychotic aripiprazole impairs fertility in male fruit flies. Aripiprazole damages the mitochondria in the testes, resulting in increased levels of reactive oxygen species and loss of the precursor cells that give rise to sperm. Find out more: buff.ly/3ge7tpf

We recently gathered in the Biochemistry Department café for mulled wine, mince pies, panettone and sing along carols. As the Old Addenbrooke's Neighbourhood, we try to meet regularly to build connections between departments, and singing carols (acapella) definitely brought us together!

Don't miss tomorrow's RNA Club session by ZOOM at 16:30!! @uni-hamburg.de @dmitry-kretov.bsky.social @ulaval.ca @cambiochem.bsky.social

Congratulations to Kiran Patil who has been given the Clarivate Web of Science Highly Cited Award for 2025. Kiran said "All credit to the amazing team members - past and present - and collaborative colleagues!" Find out more: buff.ly/6S0W5cm @kiranrpatil.bsky.social

See below for exciting job opportunities in the Department of Pharmacology www.phar.cam.ac.uk/jobs

Our new academic-industry partnership has received a £3.4 million MRC Prosperity Partnership award to fund research into understanding the safety of nucleic acid therapies (NAT). Read more: buff.ly/Hr1NoOu @mrcharwell.bsky.social @astra-zeneca.bsky.social @cruk-si.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk @ukri.org

Excited to share our latest research in @natmicrobiol.nature.com . We uncover hundreds of inhibitory interactions between common chemical pollutants and human gut bacteria. A thread🧵 (1/10) #microbiomesky #microsky @kiranrpatil.bsky.social lab @mrc-tu.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The Patil Lab have found that common pollutant chemicals such as pesticides and flame retardants can suppress the growth of healthy bacteria found in our gut. This data will help us predict the affects of new chemicals on our gut bacteria in future.

We recently came together for another successful Unit Science Day to celebrate our science and achievements from the past year. This featured a keynote talk from Professor Eric Miska, Unit research theme talks, and our Unit Recognition Scheme prizes. Read more here: buff.ly/BOzSBWC

PhD student in the Willis Lab, Alex Chalk will be sharing his work on a new laboratory method called CLEAR-Time ddPCR that measures exactly what happens to DNA after gene editing.

The UK Government have announced plans to phase out animals in research (buff.ly/beHhBbM). We are delighted to be involved by working to develop alternative methods to test cancer treatments. Find out more: buff.ly/wRpQROa

Join the Cambridge RNA club this Thursday 20th November to hear Xiaoteng Jiang, a postdoctoral researcher in the Patil Lab, share mechanistic insights into duloxetine–microbiome interactions

We're excited to share that we're part of an ambitious new project that aims to redefine human-based research models for greater understanding of disease and the acceleration of new medicines.

A new PhD student in the Willis Lab, Alexander Chalk has just had his masters/research assistant work published! Alex and his colleagues developed a new laboratory method called CLEAR-Time ddPCR that measures exactly what happens to DNA after gene editing. Find out more: buff.ly/wkfiI51

Tyler Myers, an MPhil student in the Patil Lab, is one of the speakers at the next Neurotalks. Hear more about our second brain in the latest edition of Neurotalks and learn about the pain of chillis, IBD, gut microbiome and drugs, and listening to the gut in action.

For Black History Month we are highlighting Jane C. Wright, a pioneering oncologist dedicated to making chemotherapy more accessible at a time when it was still considered a last resort. Read more here: buff.ly/df8be4E

Tiago Marques-Pedro, a PhD student in the MacFarlane lab, had the opportunity to organise and co-chair this years Gordon Research Symposium on the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity. Read more about how Tiago found the experience in our blog: buff.ly/NB5EJVw

🗓️ the deadline for our medal nominations is fast approaching! Send your nominations by 1st Nov For full details see bscb.org

We recently shared our research into Nucleic Acid Therapies (NATs) at the Big Biology Day. Our Operation NAT activity took visitors through the journey that scientists and NATs take to treat a disease. Find out more about the event here: buff.ly/7JUXHTe

Congratulations to Dr Alex Borodavka, for receiving the Lister Prize at the MRC Toxicology Unit this week. The award was presented by Lister Institute of Preventative Medicine Chair Professor Sir John Iredale. Read about his award here: buff.ly/d4jzNxS

This Thursday 16th October, we are honoured to host Dr Alexander Borodavka to present a seminar following his receipt of the 2024 Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine Prize Fellowship. More information on the seminar can be found here: buff.ly/eDJSY7g @thelisterinstitute.bsky.social

Could gut microbes protect us from toxic 'forever chemicals (PFAS)’? Kiran Patil discusses exciting findings from his group that certain species of human gut bacteria can take in and store PFAS. Boosting these species could help protect us from the harmful effects of PFAS. Watch:

Our next science comic, from the MacFarlane lab, is about macrophages, biopersistent fibres and how this is linked to mesothelioma. Each comic, created with @claudiaflandoli.bsky.social tells a story from the microworld and relates it to real world research. Find out more here: buff.ly/SWp8G4v

Our Director John Whittaker took part in a short video interview discussing; what motivated him to work in biostatistics, why he enjoys being Director, and his thoughts on the future of #Biostatistics. Watch here 👇 youtu.be/o3ArK999wgE

Professor Anne Willis, our Unit director, will be speaking alongside other experts at the Nature Conference, Cracking the Code: Nucleic Acid Medicines Coming of Age in Boston MA this December. Abstract submission and early bird registration closes on the 10th October: buff.ly/Iar2R7H

Welcome to our new PhD and MPhil students! We're excited for you to join our diverse group of researchers working to understand how chemicals in our environment and medicines affect our bodies. We look forward to seeing what new discoveries you will make!

Apply now for the #MPhil in Therapeutic Sciences at the University of #Cambridge, starting Oct 2026! 1-year full-time course with a 6-month research placement, combining world-class academic & industry training. Developed with the Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences. 🔗 bit.ly/3KdJrk9

With Anfas finishing his MPhil project in the Sawarkar Lab, we spoke to him about about his experience at the MRC Tox Unit, his research on the heat shock protein HSP90, and how HSP90 is linked to regulation of cellular stress. Read our interview with Anfas here: buff.ly/rGicEMw

We aim to carry out pioneering research which leads to safer medicines and environments. To support our work, we're looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to join the Building Services Team as a Building Services Technician. Apply buff.ly/Ubp8X4C @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social

Members from the MRC Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology and the Gurdon Institute took part in the Chariots of Fire event, a charity race that takes a scenic route through central Cambridge. Read more about the event here: buff.ly/QgJr1DK @phar.cam.ac.uk @gurdoninstitute.bsky.social

Working together on the same topics allows us to benefit from the expertise of our colleagues across the School of Biological Sciences. This theme focusses on the building blocks of life - cells and molecules. How they interact is key to understanding health and disease.

Did you know that around 20% of the world’s meat and fish is eaten by our pets? The BioPet project aims to boost the ability of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to produce lipids, creating sustainable alternatives for pet food. View the 'Journey of Yarrowia' here: buff.ly/SL8yGEw

For Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025 we are recognising the substantial contribution postdocs make to research and research culture. Thank you Postdocs, for all the ideas and hard work you bring to the MRC Toxicology Unit. Find a PAW event near you: buff.ly/CkuJQ7L #npaw2025

We're excited to share that we will be coming to the Big Biology Day at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge from 10-4pm on Saturday 11th October. Do share this event with your friends and family! Watch this space to find out what activities the Tox Unit will be bringing this year...

Our latest comic from the Willis lab is about anti-sense oligonucleotide therapies and the challenge of getting them to their target. Each comic, created with @claudiaflandoli.bsky.social tells a story from the microworld and relates it to real world research. Find out more here: buff.ly/SWp8G4v

As many MPhil students are finishing, we want to highlight some of our amazing MPhil students who have been part of the Tox Unit over the past year. We asked Amy Lewis, an MPhil student in the MacFarlane Lab about her research at the Tox Unit and why she chose to study an MPhil: buff.ly/MwT0bCv

Congratulations to Niall Buckley, who was awarded the Outstanding Poster by a Postdoc prize for his work on how CDK9 inhibitors can damage liver cells at the Gordon Research Conference on the Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Toxicity. Read more: buff.ly/UKkt37d

David O'Loughlin, a PhD student in the MacFarlane Lab went to the 2025 edition of the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, which this year focused on chemistry. David has written an article about the meeting and how he found the experience which you can read here: buff.ly/N4C4Yhi

CLOSING SOON: Research Assistant position in the Sawarkar Lab. The successful candidate will investigate transcriptional changes in the context of stress and neurodegeneration and work as part of an interdisciplinary team. Sawarkar lab research: buff.ly/kk3P5ia Apply here: buff.ly/oSlJ5J4

Closing soon: We are looking for a reliable and well organised person to join the MRC Toxicology Unit as our Building Manager. The post is integral for maintaining the infrastructure and facilities that allows research to continue in the Unit. Apply here: buff.ly/uuYIuMo

We have been collaborating with scientific illustrator @claudiaflandoli.bsky.social to share our research in an exciting new way - through comic books! We will share more about them soon but you can read the comics here now: buff.ly/SWp8G4v A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved.

Our scientists admire beauty on the microscale. Using immunofluorescence imaging, scientists can marvel at the tiny structures inside our cells. Xiao-Ming Sun shows us the cardiomyocytes he is working with, why he finds them beautiful and what proteins he is looking at. Watch ➡️ buff.ly/nQJK44k

We are recruiting for two full-time Research Assistants to work in the Hollfelder group on the discovery of novel catalytic peptides and proteins. Apply here by 25 August 2025: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/52353/

The Sawarkar lab is looking for a Research Assistant to investigate transcriptional changes in the context of stress and neurodegeneration with the goal of developing novel therapeutics. Sawarkar lab research: buff.ly/kk3P5ia Apply here: buff.ly/oSlJ5J4 Closes 31st August 2025

With the news of cuts to mRNA vaccine development in the US, Unit Director Anne Willis joined Marnie Chesterton yesterday to discuss the evidence behind vaccines. Listen to the BBC inside science episode here: buff.ly/deJ4NZf

Want to support research at the University of Cambridge? We are looking for a reliable and organised person to join the MRC Toxicology Unit as Building Manager. This post is essential to ensure effective operation of research activities in the Unit. Apply here: buff.ly/uuYIuMo @cam.ac.uk

The UK Proteostasis Network, launched in 2024 by The Babraham Institute, with support from the Pharmacology Department and the MRC Toxicology Unit, has been awarded a Network Grant from the BBSRC. Read more here: www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk/news/uk-prot... @ukproteostasis.bsky.social #proteostasis

Odara Medagedara, a PhD student in the Willis and MacFarlane groups with co-supervision from the Rawlins group at the Gurdon Institute, had the pleasure and the challenge of co-organising her first conference. Read about the symposium and how she found the experience here: buff.ly/KnP4WFo

Congratulations to Cameron Cole who was awarded the Oral Communication Prize at the 30th Translation UK meeting held by the Biochemical Society. His talk was titled "Probing translation surveillance with a constitutive RNA binding ASCC3 mutant." @biochemsoc.bsky.social #translationuk