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Prof Kiran Patil joins BBC Radio 4's Toxic! to discuss 'forever chemicals'

16 February 2026

Prof Kiran Patil is featured in Episode 1 of BBC Radio 4's three-episode series Toxic!. This episode titled 'A Recipe for Disaster?' explores the world of PFAS also known as 'forever chemicals' and Kiran shares more about the recent work from his lab and the exciting science that might one day help us flush PFAS out of our...

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Researchers discover how loss of tumour suppressor PDCD4 may aid cancer spread

9 February 2026

Scientists have found that the loss of the PDCD4 protein affects cell adhesion – how cells interact and attach with neighbouring cells and structures – which could make it easier for cancer cells to detach and metastasise. PDCD4 (Programmed Cell Death Protein 4) is a well-documented tumour suppressor – a protein that helps...

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Cambiotics next generation precision health solutions

Unit spin-out Cambiotics raises 4 million Euros in seed funding

2 February 2026

Cambiotics , a pioneering biotech company developing next-generation precision health solutions, has successfully closed a Seed investment round of EUR ~4 million with an international consortium, led by the investor Collaborative Fund , with participation from EIFO (Danish Export and Investment Fund), and True , as co-...

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Unit receives LEAF silver award

Unit receives Silver LEAF award

30 January 2026

The MRC Toxicology Unit has been awarded Silver Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation. This is a significant achievement in the Unit’s journey to conduct research more sustainably. LEAF is a standard for sustainability and efficiency of laboratories that was developed by University College London...

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Sawarkar lab secures funding to explore a new therapeutic avenue for Alzheimer's disease

27 January 2026

Dr Ritwick Sawarkar, Group Leader at the MRC Toxicology Unit, alongside Dr Kadri Seppa, a Postdoctoral Researcher in the lab, have been awarded €150,000 from the European Research Council (ERC) to develop a novel mRNA therapeutic approach to treat Alzheimer's disease. Dementia affected 55 million people in 2020, and cases...

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Human lung cancer tissue labelled with cellular markers.

Researchers find new way to slow the growth of cancer cells

30 December 2025

Scientists 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. We can use this finding to develop a treatment for cancers that are reliant on the mitochondria...

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Antipsychotic drug aripiprazole reduces fertility in male fruit flies

12 December 2025

Researchers at the MRC Toxicology Unit have found that the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole impairs fertility in male fruit flies. Aripiprazole damages the mitochondria in adult male testes, resulting in increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and loss of the precursor cells that give rise to sperm. Aripiprazole...

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Kiran Patil is one of the Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers for 2025

Kiran Patil recognised for highly cited publications

5 December 2025

Professor Kiran Patil, MRC Investigator at the MRC Toxicology Unit has been given the Clarivate Web of Science Highly Cited Award for 2025 . The highly cited program celebrates individuals who have demonstrated a significant influence on their field of research and the wider scientific community. The researchers selected...

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Tractor spraying pesticides on crops.

Pesticides and other common chemical pollutants are toxic to our ‘good’ gut bacteria

26 November 2025

Researchers in the Patil Lab have used a lab-based screening to identify over 150 common industrial chemicals, from pesticides to flame retardants, that have a toxic effect on bacteria found in the healthy human gut microbiome. We are exposed to many different chemicals in our modern world including pesticides and...

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Unit comes together for Science Day 2025

20 November 2025

Each year MRC Toxicology Unit group leaders, research staff, students and support staff take part in our annual Science Day to celebrate science and achievements over the past year. This year we were based in the beautiful Møller Institute overlooking Churchill College grounds. Eric-Miska.jpg After excellent breakfast...

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