MRC Toxicology Unit
@mrc-tu.bsky.social
The MRC Toxicology Unit is working to understand the mechanisms of cellular and tissue response to injury caused by drugs, chemicals and endogenous molecules.
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MRC Toxicology Unit
@mrc-tu.bsky.social
· Feb 21
What we do at the MRC Toxicology Unit | University of Cambridge
YouTube video by MRC Toxicology Unit - University of Cambridge
youtu.be
What is toxicology and what do we do at the MRC Toxicology Unit?
Our scientists work across a range of topics from the gut microbiome, to air pollution and cancer immunotherapy so new therapeutics and environmental factors can be safe-by-design.
Find out more:
youtu.be/cYaxFnckfUI?...
Our scientists work across a range of topics from the gut microbiome, to air pollution and cancer immunotherapy so new therapeutics and environmental factors can be safe-by-design.
Find out more:
youtu.be/cYaxFnckfUI?...
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
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
November 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
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
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.
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.
November 4, 2025 at 3:27 PM
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.
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
Read more here: buff.ly/df8be4E
October 30, 2025 at 2:57 PM
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
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
Read more about how Tiago found the experience in our blog: buff.ly/NB5EJVw
Tiago co-chairs symposium on the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity | MRC Toxicology Unit
Tiago Marques-Pedro is a PhD student in the MacFarlane lab who studies mitochondrial toxicity. Tiago had the opportunity to organise and co-chair a Gordon Research Symposium.
buff.ly
October 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
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
Read more about how Tiago found the experience in our blog: buff.ly/NB5EJVw
Reposted by MRC Toxicology Unit
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
Find out more about the event here: buff.ly/7JUXHTe
October 20, 2025 at 3:36 PM
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
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
Read about his award here: buff.ly/d4jzNxS
October 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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
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
More information on the seminar can be found here: buff.ly/eDJSY7g
@thelisterinstitute.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 9:23 AM
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
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:
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:
Gut microbes could protect us from toxic ‘forever chemicals’
Scientists have discovered that certain species of microbe found in the human gut can absorb PFAS - the toxic and long-lasting ‘forever chemicals.’ They say boosting these species in our gut…
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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:
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
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
October 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
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
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
Reposted by MRC Toxicology Unit
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
Watch here 👇
youtu.be/o3ArK999wgE
Meet our researchers: Interview with John Whittaker
YouTube video by MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge
youtu.be
October 7, 2025 at 9:14 AM
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
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
Abstract submission and early bird registration closes on the 10th October: buff.ly/Iar2R7H
October 3, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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
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!
October 1, 2025 at 5:05 PM
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!
Reposted by MRC Toxicology Unit
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
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
September 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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
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
Read our interview with Anfas here: buff.ly/rGicEMw
September 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM
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
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
Apply buff.ly/Ubp8X4C
@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
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
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
Read more about the event here: buff.ly/QgJr1DK
@phar.cam.ac.uk @gurdoninstitute.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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
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.
We’re excited to re-introduce the academic leads for our Molecules and Cells Research Theme! Hear from new Theme Lead Marc about what the Research Themes mean to him.
Find out more bio.cam.ac.uk
#BiologicalSciences @scicambridge.bsky.social @cambiochem.bsky.social @mrc-tu.bsky.social
Find out more bio.cam.ac.uk
#BiologicalSciences @scicambridge.bsky.social @cambiochem.bsky.social @mrc-tu.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 8:46 AM
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
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
September 17, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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
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
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
September 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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
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...
Watch this space to find out what activities the Tox Unit will be bringing this year...
September 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
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...
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
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
September 9, 2025 at 9:59 AM
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
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
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
September 4, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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
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
Read more: buff.ly/UKkt37d
September 2, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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
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
David has written an article about the meeting and how he found the experience which you can read here: buff.ly/N4C4Yhi
August 28, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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
David has written an article about the meeting and how he found the experience which you can read here: buff.ly/N4C4Yhi