Dr Jan Böhning

Position Governing Body Fellow Junior Research Fellow
School MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Biological Sciences
Email jboehning@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk
X Profile @janboeh
Department link MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Jan’s research aims to provide a better understanding of how the bacterium that causes tuberculosis can persist within the human body, using a mixture of structural biology and infection biology approaches.

Jan studied Biochemistry at the Universities of Bayreuth and Munich in Germany, with an extended research stay at the University of California, San Diego. He then completed his doctorate at the University of Oxford, studying the structure of multicellular assemblies of bacteria, which play important roles in chronic infection.

Now based at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology as an MRC Career Development Fellow, Jan is working at the interface of structural and infection biology.

Jan’s postdoctoral work focuses on obtaining a better understanding of how the causative agent of tuberculosis, the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, maintains the integrity of its cell envelope. This cell envelope prevents host factors and antibiotics from entering the bacterial cell and killing it, but it is unclear how these bacteria can selectively take up nutrients and export virulence factors at the same time. Using a mixture of structural and infection biology approaches, Jan’s research attempts to elucidate the role of membrane transporter complexes in this process, helping to better understand this important pathogen and providing the groundwork for the development of new drugs and therapies against tuberculosis.

What's on

Event Type (field_event_type)

A close-up of a purple allium flower with a spherical cluster of tiny blossoms on a tall stem, set against a softly blurred garden background.

Wolfson Bulb Trail

11/04/2026 at 10.00

Our new bulb trail allows you to enjoy our thoughtfully planted displays and explore our beautiful College Gardens at your own pace.

A vibrant abstract collage filled with layered cut-paper shapes, symbols, and text fragments in bright reds, oranges, blues, and purples, radiating outward from a glowing central area.

Art Exhibition: 'Epic Journeys'

11/04/2026 at 10.00

Visit Wolfson's latest exhibition 'Epic Journeys' featuring work by distinguished artist Hassan Aliyu.

An older woman in a red striped shirt and glasses stretches her arms out while standing on a sandy beach with waves in the background.

Lessons from WHO Non-Communicable Disease Initiative about Chronic Disease

21/04/2026 at 17.30

What links osteoporosis and heart disease? Dr Gordon Klein reveals surprising connections between two of ageing's biggest health challenges, and what they mean for prevention.