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

Last week we welcomed three sixth-form students for the Aspiring Scientists Training Programme. They joined us as researchers for the week, conducting their own lab projects and attending bespoke workshops. Read more about the week here: buff.ly/Ht5gZjv @gurdoninstitute.bsky.social

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the annual Integrative Toxicology Training Partnership (ITTP) Summer School at the MRC Toxicology Unit. It was an excellent week spent sharing knowledge and building networks in toxicology. @cam.ac.uk @labliston.bsky.social @liverpooluni.bsky.social @ukri.org

Find out about the story behind recent findings from the Patil lab that gut bacteria can absorb forever chemicals, with this feature article written by our Science Communications Manager Rachel Fellows. @kiranrpatil.bsky.social

Congratulations to Unit director Professor Anne Willis, who is one of three Fellows admitted to St Catherine's college. Anne will be inducted in a special ceremony today and will start her Professorial Fellowship in October, contributing to the academic and social life of the college.

Congratulations to Dr Kiran Patil who has been awarded a €150,000 proof-of-concept grant from the European Research Council (ERC) to develop novel live biotherapeutics for boosting cancer therapy. Read more about the award here: buff.ly/KcfT1gW @erc.europa.eu @kiranrpatil.bsky.social

We are sharing entries from our first Science Writing Competition. Each essay answered the question: "Are non-scientific qualities necessary to perform high quality research?" Read our next entry titled "You don’t have to be mad to work here, but would it help?" here: buff.ly/J4JqSTe

We are looking for a Research Assistant to join the Patil lab to use a combination of microbiological, genetic and analytical techniques to isolate and engineer bacteria for use as next-generation probiotics. Apply here: buff.ly/tP0ZQxs Closes 21st July 2025 @kiranrpatil.bsky.social

During June, the MRC Toxicology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Department of Pharmacology, and the Gurdon Institute joined together for Pride Month with a series of events to support LGBTQIA+ staff and students. @phar.cam.ac.uk @gurdoninstitute.bsky.social @cambiochem.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk

A new study has found that toxic PFAS could be absorbed by a gut microbe, potentially protecting us from a range of health issues associated with ‘forever chemicals’. www.ukri.org/news/gut-bac... @mrc-tu.bsky.social

Researchers in the Patil Lab have discovered that certain species of gut bacteria can absorb PFAS. Boosting these species in our gut microbiome could be a new way to protect us from the harmful effects of PFAS. Read more here: buff.ly/4FsVFsS @kiranrpatil.bsky.social @indraroux.bsky.social

Stephan Kamrad and Tara Davis in the Patil lab at the MRC Toxicology Unit have identified that some drugs and environmental contaminants alter gut bacterial amine metabolism. Find out more here: buff.ly/5akzsgs @kiranrpatil.bsky.social @skamrad.bsky.social

PhD student in the MacFarlane Lab, David O'Loughlin is representing us at the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. Congratulations David for being selected! @davidoloughlin.bsky.social

ONE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY: We are looking for one or two Research Assistants to join the group of James Thaventhiran. Thaventhiran Lab Research: buff.ly/LI9mh40 More information and apply here: buff.ly/vyk0qiz Closes: 7th July 2025