Mon 01 Sep 11:00: LMB Seminar - Mechanisms of Translational Control: From Viral Hijacking to Codon-Dependent mRNA Surveillance
In eukaryotic cells, the translation of mRNA into protein is tightly regulated at multiple levels. In this talk, I will present two complementary studies that explore distinct, yet mechanistically intertwined, aspects of translational control. The first part focuses on how the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) manipulates host translation machinery to drive cap-independent viral protein synthesis. Through a series of high-resolution cryo-EM structures, we reveal how the IRES restructures eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3), with its core subunits being displaced by tight interaction with the IRES while the non-core subunits remain positioned on the ribosome. Unexpectedly, the N-terminal domain of the eIF3c subunit interacts with the 60S ribosomal subunit during elongation, suggesting that eIF3 plays roles beyond initiation, potentially extending to elongation, termination, and ribosome recycling. In the second part, we uncover a novel function of the RNA helicase DHX29 in regulating mRNA stability based on codon optimality. Using genome-wide CRISPR screening, selective ribosome profiling, and cryo-EM, we demonstrate that DHX29 binds near the A-site entrance of translating ribosomes and senses the decoding efficiency of incoming aminoacyl-tRNAs. This ribosomal interaction allows DHX29 to recruit the GIGYF2 •4EHP complex, thereby linking slow translation caused by non-optimal codons to mRNA decay pathways. Together, these studies highlight how both viral elements and host RNA -binding proteins reshape the translational landscape—either to hijack the host machinery or to maintain transcriptome integrity—offering new structural and mechanistic insights into translational regulation.
- Speaker: Takuhiro Ito, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
- Monday 01 September 2025, 11:00-12:00
- Venue: https://mrc-lmb-cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/99123664675?pwd=QuOtE1AHmhFcUaaKGtkygBpeNsOUWh.1.
- Series: MRC LMB Seminar Series; organiser: Scientific Meetings Co-ordinator.
Mon 07 Jul 11:00: LMB Seminar - In vitro reconstitution of minimal cytoskeletal systems
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Marileen Dogterom - TU Delft, Delft University of Technology
- Monday 07 July 2025, 11:00-12:00
- Venue: In person in the Max Perutz Lecture Theatre (CB2 0QH) and via Zoom link https://mrc-lmb-cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/95584842300?pwd=V2DAKEE0bQXA4bbbSUryiRPELlhmzP.1.
- Series: MRC LMB Seminar Series; organiser: Scientific Meetings Co-ordinator.
Fri 10 Oct 08:45: Investigation into the role of Poly ADP-Ribose (PAR) in intervertebral disc calcification in dogs
Carolina Malco Rullan graduated with a degree in Veterinary Medicine in 2024 and worked as a general practitioner in Spain before moving to the UK to begin her PhD at the University of Cambridge in October. Her doctoral research focuses on understanding the process of intervertebral disc calcification, with particular interest in the role of Poly ADP -ribose (PAR)—a molecule previously associated with vascular calcification in humans. Carolina is investigating whether this molecule could also be involved in disc calcification in dogs, with the ultimate aim of developing a treatment that targets its precursor, PARP , to reduce or even prevent disc calcification, a condition linked to an increased risk of disc herniation
- Speaker: Carolina Malco Rullan, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 10 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 10 Oct 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Carolina Malco Rullan graduated with a degree in Veterinary Medicine in 2024 and worked as a general practitioner in Spain before moving to the UK to begin her PhD at the University of Cambridge in October. Her doctoral research focuses on understanding the process of intervertebral disc calcification, with particular interest in the role of Poly ADP -ribose (PAR)—a molecule previously associated with vascular calcification in humans. Carolina is investigating whether this molecule could also be involved in disc calcification in dogs, with the ultimate aim of developing a treatment that targets its precursor, PARP , to reduce or even prevent disc calcification, a condition linked to an increased risk of disc herniation
- Speaker: Carolina Malco Rullan, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 10 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Tue 01 Jul 11:15: Title TBC
The presentation will open with some reflections on the early part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, where questions asked about engineering realities constraining science aspirations were raised. Early encounters between Scientists and Engineers considered Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) as one of the constraints. Some formative developments of this specific Radio Astronomy (RA) project, with a focus on the XDM , KAT7 and then MeerKAT in South Africa, will be introduced and related to unexpected RFI . The picture will then be widened to unpack an understanding of RFI and ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) for RA and science projects more generally. Two European examples will be considered. A short diversion into the language that EMC engineers use in RFI and what RA presents as uv-plane data will be taken.
- Speaker: Prof. Howard Reader
- Tuesday 01 July 2025, 11:15-12:00
- Venue: Coffee area, Battcock Centre.
- Series: Hills Coffee Talks; organiser: Charles Walker.
Fri 28 Nov 08:45: JCTS talks
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 28 November 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 21 Nov 08:45: JCTS talks
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 21 November 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 07 Nov 08:45: Grand Rounds
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Speaker to be confirmed
- Friday 07 November 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 07 Nov 08:45: Grand Rounds
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 07 November 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 03 Oct 08:45: Grand Rounds
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 03 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 14 Nov 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 14 November 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 14 Nov 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 14 November 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 31 Oct 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 31 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 31 Oct 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 31 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 24 Oct 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Speaker to be confirmed
- Friday 24 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 24 Oct 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Speaker to be confirmed
- Friday 24 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 17 Oct 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 17 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 17 Oct 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 17 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 10 Oct 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: tbc, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 10 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Fri 10 Oct 08:45: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Carolina Malco Rullan, Departmet of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 10 October 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.