MRC Toxicology Unit
@MRC_TU
The MRC Toxicology Unit is working to understand the mechanisms of cellular and tissue response to injury caused by drugs, chemicals and endogenous molecules.
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 @Cambridge_SBS

Find out about the story behind recent findings from the Patil lab that gut bacteria can absorb forever chemicals, with this feature article that was published today in The Microbiologist.
The latest feature in #TheMicrobiologist explores research at the MRC Toxicology Unit (@MRC_TU) that asks whether our gut microbes might protect us from ‘forever chemicals’. the-microbiologist.com/features/tiny-…
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.
A warm welcome to our three newest Fellows who are due to be officially inducted into the Catz fellowship at a ceremony on Monday: Dr Sebastian Raza (@sebrazam), Prof. Anne Willis OBE FBTS & Prof. Douglas Moggach. Find out more: caths.cam.ac.uk/new-fellows-20… @CamSociology @MRC_TU
Congratulations to Dr Kiran Patil who has been awarded a €150,000 proof-of-concept grant from the European Research Council to develop novel live biotherapeutics for boosting cancer therapy. Read more about the award: buff.ly/KcfT1gW @ERC_Research @kiran_r_patil

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

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ called PFAS can’t be avoided - and they've been linked with health issues including a higher risk of certain cancers. Work led by @kiran_r_patil at the @MRC_TU has found our gut microbiome could play a helpful role in removing PFAS from our body. The…
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

Researchers 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 @kiran_r_patil @Cambridge_Uni @Cambridge_SBS

CLOSING SOON: Postdoctoral position in the group of Professor Anne Willis to work on an exciting research programme investigating the effects of mRNA translation surveillance mechanisms on the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. Apply here: buff.ly/tQpAmlN

Congratulations to Dr James Thaventhiran, principal investigator at the MRC Toxicology Unit and clinical immunologist who has received the prestigious Lister Fellowship award. Read more here: buff.ly/sMmSIJA @ListerInstitute @Cambridge_SBS @Cambridge_Uni

The Old Addenbrooke's Neighbourhood - Pharmacology, Gurdon Institute, Biochemistry and MRC Toxicology Unit, coming together to support Pride 🏳️🌈
A beautiful day to celebrate #CambridgePride with the Old Addenbrooke’s Neighbourhood @UnivCamPharm @MRC_TU @GurdonInstitute @CamBiochem 🏳️🌈
We are looking for a postdoc to join Prof Anne Willis' group to investigate the effects of mRNA translation surveillance mechanisms on the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. More information and apply here: buff.ly/tQpAmlN Closes 1st July 2025

A few photos from Café Synthetique last night. Thanks to our speakers Wes Robertson from the @CellBiol_MRCLMB and Sonja Blasche (@MRC_TU) for sharing their research with us. Café Synthetique will have a short break and will be back in September.
Looking for your dream job? You might just find it at the University of Cambridge 💼 Explore over 100 of our vacancies across our academic and professional services 👇 jobs.cam.ac.uk/job?utm_source… Or take a look at our jobs of the month below 🧵
Launched in 2024, our Roving Researcher scheme helps scientists maintain momentum in the lab while taking medium- to long-term leave. To mark its first year, we hosted an event in Cambridge, exploring successes, challenges, and future potential. ➡️ bio.cam.ac.uk/news/roving-re…
Hope to see you at Cafe Synthetique on 2 June with talks from Wes Roberston @CellBiol_MRCLMB 'Synthetic genomics for microbiome reprogramming' and Sonja Blasche @MRC_TU @kiran_r_patil 'Milk kefir🥛 in fermented food applications' Sign up here 🦠👉 buytickets.at/engineeringbio…
Congratulations to our Unit Director Professor Anne Willis who received the John Barnes Prize at the 2025 BTS Congress yesterday. This biannual award is given to recognise a leader in Toxicology and Safety Science. Read more here: buff.ly/0PY2zJt @BritToxSoc

Support our research the MRC Toxicology Unit! We are looking for a reliable and organised person to fill our Building Support role. Find out more about us: buff.ly/1VjJdkf Apply here: buff.ly/jmdz7uA
