Molecular and Cellular Medicine Board (MCMB)
Much of the MCMB's research portfolio is work on basic biological mechanisms or technology relevant to understanding aetiology of, or developing treatments for, multiple diseases or conditions. MCMB is responsible for the MRC's programmes and funding in:
- Cell biology;
- Structural biology and biophysics;
- Developmental and stem cell biology (excluding neurobiology);
- Molecular haematology;
- Chemical biology;
- Bioinformatics;
- Cancer (includes basic biology, translational research and epidemiology);
- Genetic mechanisms and genomics;
- Toxicology;
- Environmental factors (toxins, radiation etc.) affecting health;
- Pharmacology;
- Regenerative medicine;
- Nanotechnology and applications of other new technologies to biomedicine;
- Method development for gene therapy.
Applications relating to particular organ systems or diseases (with the exception of cancer, leukaemia and molecular haematology) should be normally directed to our other research boards.
The board is also responsible for MRC's investment in large multi-purpose cohort studies linking genetics or other biological measures to environment and health - such as UK Biobank and ALSPAC, although project applications to use these resources for studies of particular diseases should be directed to the relevant board.
All proposals anticipating MRC expenditure greater than £3 million should be discussed with the named Programme Manager.
Applicants planning to undertake a genome-wide association study are directed to MRC's GWAS guidance; applicants planning to undertake next generation sequencing studies are directed to MRC's guidance on accessing HTS hubs. Those planning to request support for establishment, maintenance or use of cohort resources should consider the MRC cohort resources guidance.