As of July 1969, Waddington's Epigenetics Laboratory had 27 research scientists (including PhD candidates), but the funding from the MRC and the University was not sufficient for the Laboratory to operate at optimum capacity. As the MRC seemed unlikely to increase its support for molecular biology, the Science Research Council (SRC) offered to help by funding the most expensive of the six groups into which the Laboratory was divided. This was the Genomic Transcription group containing Dr John Bishop, Dr Marialuisa Melli and four other pre- and post-doctoral students. Waddington appeared to run into difficulties with the SRC, partly due to the fact that Melli was already receiving their support.