Four research teams have moved from the Marie Curie Research Institute to the University of Warwick to found a new Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology.

Following the decision of Marie Curie Cancer Care to focus more on its palliative care research the University of Warwick has agreed the transfer of groups working on Molecular Motors (Robert Cross), DNA Replication (Jacob Dalgaard), Chromosome Segregation (Andrew McAinsh) and Cytoskeletal Organisation (Anne Straube). MCCC will support the groups with transitional programme funding for 3 years, as well as allowing the transfer of laboratory equipment.

A key part of the development will be the establishment of a new Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology at Warwick. Mechanochemical cell biology focuses on understanding the principles and mechanisms by which cells organise their contents in space and time. It is an emerging area of interdisciplinary research that has enormous potential for advancing our understanding of essential cell processes and applying this knowledge for the benefit of patients. The new Centre sits at the interface between biomedicine, physics, chemistry, engineering, computing and mathematics.

Professor John Davey, Associate Dean for Biomedical Research at Warwick Medical School said: “We are delighted that these outstanding research teams have transferred to Warwick.”

“Our goal is to make Warwick Medical School the international destination of choice for ambitious scientists wishing to make rapid progress on these technically demanding problems. It will affirm Warwick’s position as an international leader in biomedical research.”

Notes to editors

For more information please contact Kelly Parkes-Harrison, Communications Officer, University of Warwick, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, 02476 150483, 07824 540863