Three new projects will study athletes' vision, movements, and cognitive skills to develop improved training methods for elite athletes across all sports. The research also aims to provide insights into how to train or retrain people who have lost daily skills due to ageing or disease.
Scientists have developed a new way to test chemical safety using fish spheroids, which behave like normal animal tissue and can be maintained for over a month. This technique could reduce the number of fish needed for toxicology testing, providing a more accurate picture of how chemicals affect animals and ecosystems.
Researchers have imaged S-layer of Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacterium down to atomic scale, revealing chainmail-like structure that provides tough yet flexible protection and allows nutrients to diffuse in and out. This discovery holds promise for developing new vaccines by exploiting the ability of S-layers to self-assemble.
Scientists have discovered that the controlled release of microRNA miR-675 slows down placental growth before birth, regulating a key factor in healthy pregnancy. This finding has important implications for understanding how environmental signals and diet may influence fetal development.
A new study funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council found that vitamin D3 supplements are more effective in raising vitamin D levels in humans than vitamin D2. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,000 people, suggests that vitamin D3 may be better for overall health.
The UK has allocated £250M for five-year strategic investment programmes in bioscience research, including 26 strategic science programmes and 14 key national research capabilities. This funding will focus on addressing global challenges such as sustainable food production, energy security, and healthcare.
Researchers have gained new understanding of how our sense of hearing works, finding a key link between touch and sound. The study reveals that specific proteins play a vital role in detecting high-frequency sounds and has implications for future research into hearing and touch.
Researchers used video microscopy and mathematical modelling to challenge common assumptions about Salmonella infection. They found that macrophage infection rates are lower than previously thought, but infected cells can still be reinfected by other bacteria.
Researchers discovered that maize crops emit chemicals attracting growth-promoting microbes to live amongst their roots. This attracts beneficial bacteria, making important nutrients like iron and phosphorous more available, and competing against harmful bacteria.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is investing £4 million in nine new crop science projects to improve UK cereal crops, including oilseed rape, barley, and wheat. The projects aim to address bottlenecks in food production, reduce waste, and deliver cost savings.
Researchers have completed the first high-resolution genetic map of miscanthus, a towering cane-like grass used as an energy crop. The mapping project has provided valuable markers to differentiate individual plants and improve breeding for faster and more efficient production.
Researchers found that certain plants like thistles, clover, and buttercups are crucial in maintaining fragile food webs on UK farms. Restoring these plants could theoretically increase biodiversity across the farm.
A new project has been awarded £4 million to develop a 'click' technique for DNA and RNA assembly, which could make biotechnology research cheaper and more efficient. The technique enables the production of useful DNA structures on a larger scale than current enzyme-based technologies.
Researchers are developing an artificial 'leaf' that can convert sunlight into liquid fuel, and optimizing natural photosynthesis through enzyme engineering. The goal is to improve crop yields and create a sustainable carbon-neutral economy.
Researchers will map genes responsible for resistance to Campylobacter in chicken guts to develop breeding programs. The goal is to prevent the bacteria from entering the food chain, reducing the risk of infection and associated costs.
A £7 million research initiative aims to improve fruit and vegetable production in the UK through sustainable farming practices. The project will focus on adapting crops to a changing climate, reducing waste, and increasing yields while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Scientists have identified a gene family that can help breed grasses with improved properties for diet and bioenergy. The research, published in PNAS, could lead to the production of multi-use crops where grain is used for food and feed while straw is used to produce energy efficiently.
Researchers found that vitamin D reduces inflammation and debris buildup in mouse eyes, improving vision. Vitamin D also triggers macrophages to change configuration, reducing damage and promoting clear vision. The study suggests a potential simple way to prevent age-related macular degeneration.
Research reveals that a poor maternal diet can affect fat storage in later life, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and other age-related diseases. The team identified a molecule called miR-483-3p as the key player in this process, which suppresses a protein called GDF3.
A team of four early-career researchers from the University of Oxford emerged as winners of this year's Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) competition. They impressed investors with their idea for using yeast to produce high-value fragrance components. The competition aims to raise awareness of commercialization amongst bio...
A £3.6 million project seeks to illuminate a fundamental mechanism controlling cells in the immune system as we age. Understanding this process may lead to new possibilities for improving health in older people.
The UK and India will collaborate on bioenergy research to develop sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, with a focus on plant and algae processing. The joint call aims to tackle global challenges in this area, leveraging expertise from both nations.
A new type of vaccine based on proteins from the coccidiosis bug has been developed to protect chickens against the disease. The vaccine uses a protein called MIC3, which is secreted by the parasite and binds to sugar molecules on chicken cells.
Researchers have uncovered a key enzyme in plant immunity, NADPH oxidase, which regulates the production of toxic molecules that encourage cell death. This discovery could lead to disease-resistant crop varieties and new treatments for human immune disorders such as chronic granulomatous disease.
Researchers aim to overcome fundamental limitations of photosynthesis by improving light capture, sugar production, and molecular structure. Successful projects could lead to significant increases in crop yields for food and bioenergy crops.
Researchers sequenced the genome of a man who was an Aboriginal Australian, showing they are direct descendants of the first people to arrive on the continent 50,000 years ago. This challenges the prevailing theory of human migration, suggesting that Aboriginal Australians migrated to Australia earlier than previously thought.
Researchers have successfully delivered chemotherapy to cancer cells inside tiny microparticles, reducing ovarian cancer tumours by 65 times more than traditional methods. The 'Trojan Horse' approach uses a special protein called CD95 to hijack cancer cells and deliver the chemotherapy cargo.
A new genome sequence of Brassica rapa, a key crop for vegetable oils, has been successfully completed. This breakthrough will help breeders develop more efficient varieties of oilseed rape and other important crops, ultimately contributing to global food security.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism controlling aging in white blood cells, opening up the possibility of temporary boosting of the immune systems of older people. This could help fight off infections and improve quality of life for older individuals.
Researchers have successfully assembled the Bluetongue virus outside a cell, paving the way for the development of more effective vaccines. This breakthrough could lead to vaccines with useful new properties, such as tags that distinguish vaccinated animals from those that have recovered.
Researchers have uncovered a huge network of genes that help plants defend against pests and diseases, making it possible to explore new avenues for crop improvement. The study's findings suggest that looking for single genes is not sufficient and instead, breeders should work together to produce plants with robust networks of genes.
Researchers found that ground beetles significantly reduce grass weed populations in UK farmland, improving agricultural productivity. By controlling weeds, ground beetles can help farmers reduce herbicide use and increase crop yields.
Scientists have discovered a mechanism for epigenetic memory in plants, which affects the timing of flowering based on environmental conditions. The study reveals that histone modifications can be passed on to offspring, providing a new understanding of how organisms 'remember' their environment.
Researchers have discovered that a protein in blood vessel walls plays a key role in maintaining healthy blood pressure. Malfunctioning of this protein, Kv7.4, contributes to high blood pressure and can be targeted by new treatment strategies.
A new study reveals that Bdellovibrio can reduce Salmonella bacteria by 90% without harming birds. The research confirms the safety and effectiveness of this natural predator as a potential alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers have identified a wood-digesting enzyme in bacteria that could make sustainable biofuels more economically viable. The discovery could unlock currently unattainable sources of biofuels, particularly from fast-growing woody plants and crop byproducts.
A team of researchers has sequenced the genome of a fungus that causes leaf blotch disease in wheat, revealing potential weaknesses to combat the devastating crop loss. The fungus' unusual genetic makeup may hold the key to breeding resistant crop plants or improving pesticide use.
Researchers discovered that reindeer can see ultraviolet light, which helps them find food and avoid predators. This unique adaptation allows them to thrive in the harsh arctic environment where humans would be vulnerable to snow blindness.
A £5M funding call aims to extract valuable chemicals from grain brewing co-products, enhancing the UK's biorefining industry and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Researchers will focus on overcoming bottlenecks and developing new methods for increasing product value.
Researchers have discovered that a gene called Sox10 coordinates the balance of cell types in healthy development. This means that it's difficult to get 100% of cells to become one type, even in lab conditions. The study suggests that understanding these balancing mechanisms is crucial for harnessing stem cells in medical applications.
Researchers have successfully treated severe Crohn's disease with a new cell therapy approach using Type 1 regulatory lymphocytes. The preliminary results indicate improved condition and good tolerability, paving the way for further phase 2b clinical trials.
Researchers grew mesenchymal stem cells as tiny spheres to form a variety of cell types, expanding their potential for regenerative medicine. The 3D technique recreates the microscopic environment found in human bodies, allowing MSCs to specialize more rapidly and completely.
A new treatment approach targeting CML stem cells is being tested, offering a potential cure for patients resistant to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. Hydroxychloroquine has shown promise in killing cancer cells undergoing autophagy, a state that allows them to survive and return after standard therapy.
Researchers have identified a gene that controls the behavior of stem cells in the intestine, which can lead to bowel cancers. The team aims to grow healthy stem cells into transplant tissues to replace damaged intestines, potentially treating patients with Crohn's disease and some cancers.
The UK and Vietnam are collaborating on a major effort to improve flood, drought, salt and pest tolerance in rice, addressing growing population demands and climate change threats. The project will sequence the genomes of 30 rice varieties, developing an important genomics platform for breeding rice with improved traits.
Researchers found that night-flying moths match the migration speeds of songbirds, traveling between 30-65 km/h. Moths use favorable tailwinds to aid their journeys, while birds take advantage of winds from various directions.
Researchers found that C. elegans worms gain resistance to one microbe at the cost of becoming more vulnerable to another, highlighting a see-saw balance between immunity to different diseases across the animal kingdom.
Research reveals that protein collisions during DNA replication can lead to errors and increase cancer risk. The study found that even head-on collisions between the 'fast train' of DNA replisome and the 'slow train' of RNA polymerase can cause damage.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has announced a £7 million grant to increase wheat diversity via comprehensive pre-breeding. This project aims to accelerate genetic improvement of UK wheat, ensuring its sustainability for the benefit of farmers and global food security.
Researchers have discovered a novel molecular mechanism that triggers plant infection by Pseudomonas syringae, a bacterium responsible for bacterial speck in tomatoes. The two-gene system is an evolutionary innovation that has provided the bacteria with a selective advantage, allowing them to infect a wide range of plants.