Some of the most important discoveries happen in the lab. Some of the most important conversations happen outside them. From festivals and science comics to videos and public talks, discover how we're helping people engage with science in accessible, creative and memorable ways. 👉 buff.ly/aWjpd7z

Additional 2026 Training Module is not to be missed! WoE Approaches - how to conduct WoE assessments and identify and integrate relevant data sources. Please register here: www.thebts.org/skills-gap-i...

It is also in the Cambridge research news: www.cam.ac.uk/research/new... @mrc-tu.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk

Our article "Common xenobiotics modulate gut microbial responses to low‑calorie sweeteners in vitro" is out! link.springer.com/article/10.1... With @kiranrpatil.bsky.social, @indraroux.bsky.social, @rbradley.bsky.social, @skamrad.bsky.social, @simonemozzachiodi.bsky.social, @itsbinir.bsky.social.

Common xenobiotics modulate gut microbial responses to low‑calorie sweeteners in vitro - Molecular Systems Biology

The gut microbiota is implicated in adverse effects associated with low-calorie sweeteners. Yet, the direct impact of sweeteners on gut bacteria remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we report intera...

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What happens when sweeteners meet your gut microbiome? New Unit research found that many commonly used sweeteners can directly affect gut bacteria in lab tests, with some sweetener-drug combinations showing particularly strong effects on microbes linked to gut health. Read more: buff.ly/pJosJyB

Great science starts a conversation. Discover how we're opening our science to wider audiences and creating meaningful conversations around health, research and society: 👉 buff.ly/00lqlfh #PublicEngagement #ScienceCommunication #ResearchImpact #STEM #CommunityEngagement

Through commercialisation, we work to translate our research into tangible outcomes. It’s one of the ways we ensure our work delivers real-world value. Learn more about how we’re turning research into innovation: 👉 buff.ly/qTXYmY9 #Innovation #TechTransfer #ResearchImpact #LifeSciences

We are looking for a Research Associate to join Marion MacFarlane's lab to carry out research into the 'Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Death' Fixed term contract £37,694-£46,049 Apply by 14th July Find out more and apply here: buff.ly/TAdphUJ #vacancy #CellDeath

We are honoured to host Prof James Thaventhiran for his Lister Institute Prize Seminar, following his receipt of the 2025 Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine Prize Fellowship next week His seminar will present his lab’s past and ongoing work towards improving our design and use of modified mRNA

Partnerships are central to how we translate science beyond the lab - bringing together academia, industry and regulatory expertise to tackle complex challenges. Take a closer look at how partnerships drive our impact: 👉https://buff.ly/CwcPT7Z #Partnerships #Collaboration #ResearchImpact

We are also looking for second Research Assistant to join the Thaventhiran lab who will support projects that improve vaccine and atypical vaccine design Fixed term (10 months) £33,002-£35,608 Apply by 24th June More information & how to apply: buff.ly/mAqumDN

We are looking for a Research Assistant to join the Thaventhiran lab and work on advanced mRNA therapeutics Fixed term contract (3 years) £33,002-£35,608 Apply by 17th June Find out more and apply here: buff.ly/pU1wllN #vacancy #mRNAtherapeutics

Great science doesn’t stop at discovery. It means taking our research beyond the lab - ensuring it informs decisions, shapes collaborations, and leads to tangible outcomes in the real world. Explore how our work is driving impact across research, partnerships & commercialisation: 👉 buff.ly/CJHm5ow

Sub-cellular chemical mapping using correlated cryogenic electron and mass spectrometry imaging online @natmethods.nature.com, led by Hannah Ochner, collaboration with @catfranco.bsky.social and @kiranrpatil.bsky.social labs doi.org/10.1038/s415...

Huge congratulations to Prof Anne Willis who has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences 🎉 in recognition of her work understanding the 'off target' effects of cutting-edge treatments, such as RNA therapies. Find out more about Anne’s work over on our website 👇 buff.ly/3psZdjW

Congratulations to Tiago Marques Pedro from the MacFarlane lab who successfully passed his PhD viva last week 🎉

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards, including Tox Unit researcher Prof Kiran Patil who was Highly Commended in the Researcher of the Year award Read more about the awards here: buff.ly/Llvs9zv

Winners of the Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards 2026 are revealed

See who triumphed across 16 categories.

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Our scientists were proud to showcase their research at the British Toxicology Society Congress 2026 🧪 From cutting-edge safety science to collaborative discussions, it was a great opportunity to connect with the toxicology community and share our work. 🔗 Read more:

MRC Toxicology Unit scientists showcase research at British Toxicology Society Congress 2026 | MRC Toxicology Unit

Researchers from the MRC Toxicology Unit attended last week’s British Toxicology Society (BTS) Congress in Solihull, a key annual event that brings together experts from across toxicology and safety…

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Congratulations to PhD student Griff of the MacFarlane lab for receiving the BTS Student Poster Prize at the BTS Congress last week!

The Patil group is part of a new collaboration that aims to understand how changes to our gut microbiome in early life impact neurodevelopment. The project is part of Wellcome LEAP's Foundation Of a Resilient Microbiome (FORM) initiative Read more:

Research into the gut-brain axis in early life receives funding | MRC Toxicology Unit

The Patil group is part of a new collaboration between groups in the US, Japan, Australia, and the UK that aims to understand how changes to our gut microbiome in early life impact neurodevelopment.…

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Great to see our early career scientists presenting their research during the Oral Communication sessions at the #BTSCongress2026! Congratulations to Marguerite Colin, Niall Buckley and Xiaoteng Jiang on a great job! @brittoxsoc.bsky.social

The BTS Ambassadors met this morning to discuss how we can get members actively engaged in the BTS. What local BTS events would you like to see and take part in? #BTSCongress2026

Upcoming seminar: 🎓 @diniscalado.bsky.social, Senior Group Leader, Immunity and Cancer Laboratory @crick.ac.uk 📢‘Good and Evil Plasma Cells: Guardians & Saboteurs of Immunity’ 📅 4-5 PM, Thu 30 Apr 📍JCBC @cambridgebiocampus.bsky.social buff.ly/9PtbIn8 #CITIID

PhD STUDENTSHIP AVAILABLE! We are accepting applications for a PhD student on occupational exposure of non-exhaust emissions. This is a four year EPSRC IDLA studentship commencing on 1st October 2026. More information and how to apply can be found here: buff.ly/zHbn1yp Apply by 11th May 2026

BTS Skills Gap Initiative is pleased to confirm that registration for the Training Module 'Carcinogenicity' is now open! The module will cover requirements for testing under different regulated sectors, pathological and statistical aspects, and use of NAMs. www.thebts.org/skills-gap-i...

We are looking forward to this year’s BTS Annual Congress with several of our researchers showcasing their work to highlight the broad scope of the safety science research carried out at the MRC Toxicology Unit. Looking forward to connecting with colleagues across the community #BTSCongress2026

mRNA vaccines rose to prominence during COVID-19, but their potential goes far beyond infectious diseases. For #WorldImmunisationWeek, explore our latest #CelebrateVaccines blog on how this technology could be used in cancer and autoimmune conditions 👇 vist.ly/4zmqz

CLOSING SOON: 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 & AstraZeneca 💵 £42,254-£56,535 📆 Apply by 20th April Apply here: buff.ly/C8UtZ2n

PhD STUDENTSHIP AVAILABLE! We are accepting applications for a PhD student on occupational exposure of non-exhaust emissions. This is a four year EPSRC IDLA studentship commencing on 1st October 2026. More information and how to apply can be found here: buff.ly/zHbn1yp Apply by 11th May 2026

Researchers in the Patil lab found that co-culturing bacteria profoundly alters each species' behavior. Because the gut microbiome directly affects our health, understanding these interactions helps show how it responds to challenges (e.g. drugs) Read the full story: buff.ly/dZ42Vnx