HRH Princess Anne visits MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit
13 October 2010
Princess Anne meets MBU scientists
On 13 October 2010 The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, met scientists at the Medical Research Council’s Mitochondrial Biology Unit in Cambridge to learn more about their pioneering research into mitochondria. The mitochondria, the human body’s ‘powerhouses’ convert energy in food into a chemical form that provides the fuel for life, and they are involved in an ever-increasing range of human diseases, including neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases, and possibly in the process of ageing.
The Princess, who is the Patron of the Unit, has visited it twice previously during the past 10 years. On her latest visit, she joined the Unit’s scientists at a meeting convened to discuss their latest scientific findings.
The Princess was shown how the Unit carries out fundamental research into how mitochondria work, and, when they malfunction, how they become involved in major human diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and cancer.
Professor Sir John Walker, the Director of the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit said, "We were delighted that once again The Princess Royal honoured the Unit by making this visit. We were able to explain to her our basic research into mitochondria and to show her how we are applying it to neuromuscular diseases and Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease and for developing new therapies.It was wonderful to find the Princess so receptive and so engaged in our activities."