Are you interested in using machine learning to predict the toxicity of novel therapies? The Patil lab are recruiting a Bioinformatician to work on this in collaboration with @cambiochem.bsky.social & @astra-zeneca.bsky.social 💵 £42,254-£56,535 📆 Apply by 20th April Apply here: buff.ly/C8UtZ2n

Just 1 week to go ⏳ Join our free Policy Spotlight webinar on 1 April and learn how to connect with policymakers, influence real-world decisions, and amplify your impact as a microbiologist appliedmicrobiology.org/ems-event-ca...

Our new science tattoo designs are here ready for our temporary Tattoo Parlour at the Cambridge Festival Come and get yours at Granta Pl, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RU from 11am-4:30pm on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March and learn more about our research that has inspired these designs!

Hear from #CITIID scientists Ravi Gupta, @lab-rihn-th.bsky.social & @thav-lab.bsky.social @mrc-tu.bsky.social part of @cambridgefestival.bsky.social 📢 Preparing for the Next Pandemic 🗓️ Tue 17 March, 6-7pm 📍 Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, @cambridgebiocampus.bsky.social Book here: bit.ly/46a9elm

Hear from one of our Group Leaders, Dr Ritwick Sawarkar, tomorrow (Thurs 12th March) as part of @cambiochem.bsky.social seminar series. He will be talking about the regulation of tRNA gene expression.

Happy to share our review on non-model microbes and microbial communities in biotechnology! With @sonjablasche.bsky.social @indraroux.bsky.social @kiranrpatil.bsky.social see below 👇🏼

Rob Bradley, a research associate in the Patil group, recently took part in the Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease Open Day, a meeting held at Addenbrooke’s Hospital with patients and their relatives. Rob shares what the meeting was about and how he found the experience here: buff.ly/rUZU44N

Want a sneaky closer look at one of our activities for this year's @cambridgefestival.bsky.social? Then look no further! You will find us at the BIG Family Weekend on the 28th (10am-4pm) and 29th March (11am-4pm) at the University Centre, Granta Place Mill Lane. Will we see you there?

One of the biggest challenges in microbial biotechnology? Unlocking the potential of non-model microbes and synthetic communities! Glad to share our review @sonjablasche.bsky.social @simonemozzachiodi.bsky.social @kiranrpatil.bsky.social @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social🧵(1/7) doi.org/10.1016/j.co...

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/...

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

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...

📣 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

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.

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