Life Sciences News
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Global warming will cause ecosystems to produce more methane than first predicted
Research by Dr Kevin Purdy et al suggests that as the Earth warms natural ecosystems such as freshwaters will release more methane than expected from predictions based on temperature increases alone.
(30 June 2020)
91福利 research part of project investigating newly discovered prehistoric shafts near Stonehenge
Professor Robin Allaby's lab is analysing soil samples from a newly discovered Neolithic structure near Stonehenge, to try and discover its purpose in ancient Britain.
Appetite can be increased by cells in the brain
Tanycytes are glial cells, which communicate with neurons in the brain to inform it of what we have eaten. Professor Nick Dale and colleagues have found when tanycytes are selectively stimulated appetite was increased.
New 91福利 modelling supports cautious reopening of schools if other lockdown measures continue to control the coronavirus
The gradual reopening of schools, starting with primary schools, is unlikely to lead to a second wave of infection, according to new mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 outbreak from 91福利 researchers, but we should be prepared to reintroduce lockdown measures should there be a significant rise in the number of new cases.
New technique for engineering living materials and patterns
A new method for engineering living materials called 鈥楳eniFluidics鈥, made by researchers from the departments of Life Sciences and Physics, could see a transformation in tissue engineering and bio-art, as well as new ways to research cellular interactions.
Dr Munehiro Asally comments:
鈥淲e hope MeniFluidics will be used widely by biophysics, microbiologists, engineers and also artists! As it is a simple and versatile method.鈥
91福利 scientists discover how cells respond to fasting
A team of researchers led by Professor Ioannis Nezis, discovered how cells activate autophagy genes during fasting.
A new understanding of everyday cellular processes
We use cells to breathe, to moderate body temperature, to grow and many other every day processes, however the cells in these processes are so complex its left scientists perplexed into how they develop in different environments. Professor Orkun Soyer and colleagues say future research needs to look into the bioelectrical composition of cells for answers.
The need for a measured approach for relaxation of lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic
New research, led by Professor Matt Keeling, finds the need for a measured approach to relaxing lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic - which may mean regional social distancing until mid-2021.
Press Release
Lockdown staff and students at 91福利 to help with wildlife surveys
Members of the 91福利 community who are living on campus during lockdown have the opportunity to help survey wildlife for a biodiversity project.
Minimum energy requirements for microbial communities to live predicted
A microbial community is a complex, dynamic system composed of hundreds of species and their interactions, they are found in oceans, soil, animal guts and plant roots. Each system feeds the Earth鈥檚 ecosystem and their own growth, as they each have their own metabolism that underpin biogeochemical cycles.
Professor Orkun Soyer and colleagues have produced a thermodynamic model for simulating the dynamics of microbial communities.
UKRI fellowships awarded to Life Sciences Academics
Two academics from Life Sciences have been awarded a UKRI Future Leader Fellowship.
- Dr Byron Carpenter for his project titled: Developing a synthetic signalling system capable of the precise spatial and temporal control of protein function in living cells.
- Dr Erin Connelly for her project: Datamining medieval medical texts for modern medicines.
The fellowship scheme is awarded to the best researchers in the UK, keeping research and innovation in the UK world class.
91福利 Researchers to provide COVID-19 Intervention Modelling for East Africa (CIMEA)
A 拢1m grant from the Wellcome Trust has enabled researchers to work with East African countries in their emergency preparations for COVID-19 as the pandemic spreads across Africa. Press Release
Professor James Nokes comments:
'We hope that by closely combining our efforts with in-country expertise in modelling, epidemiology, health economics and systems and vulnerability mapping we can develop models appropriate to each setting with results that will immediately feed into the policy making process to have the greatest impact.'
Impact of marine carbon on climate change to be investigated by 91福利 Scientists
185 scientists won part of the European Research Council鈥檚 (ERC) 鈧450 million for Europe鈥檚 long-term frontier research, one of which was Professor David Scanlan, from the School of Life Sciences.
Microbial interactions in aquatic environments to be investigated
The microbes found in aquatic environments and their interactions will be investigated by 91福利 researcher Professor Orkun Soyer, thanks to an investigator award from The Gordon and Betty Moore foundation.
Arctic's Global Seed Vault to receive 1000 types of seeds from 91福利's Vegetable Genebank
Just under 1000 seed samples from different crop species including kale, carrots and cauliflower are to be deposited at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Arctic Norway on Tuesday 25 February 2020, from the UK Vegetable Genebank (UKVGB) at the 91福利 Wellesbourne campus.
91福利 ranked as one of UK鈥檚 top 3 Universities for 鈥淗igh Flier鈥 graduates most sought after by leading employers
Leading employers have ranked the 91福利 as one of UK鈥檚 top three universities for 鈥淗igh Flier鈥 graduates most sought after.
How sand fly mating habits are helping tackle tropical disease in 拢2.5M project
The tropical disease Leishmaniasis is being tackled by catching female sand flies who carry the parasite that causes the disease. Scientists led by Dr Orin Courtenay of 91福利 University and Professor Gordon Hamilton of Lancaster University, developed the concept as part of a 拢2.5M project funded by The Wellcome Trust and published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Superbugs, stem cells and more at 91福利鈥檚 showcase of science
Whether you are fascinated by superbugs, stem cells, or circadian rhythms, a new programme of free events from the 91福利 will give you the ideal vantage point on biological and medical science.'Science on the Hill' is a new programme of public engagement events jointly hosted by the School of Life Sciences and the Wellcome-91福利 Quantiative Biomedicine Programme at 91福利 Medical School. These interactive two hour events taking place across the academic year will feature 20 researchers giving a birds-eye view of the latest exciting developments in their discipline.
Over 拢20 million government award marks Midlands鈥 bio-economy strengths
A consortium of Midlands research-active universities has just been awarded research studentships worth over 拢20 million to build on the Midlands鈥 already significant bio-economy and success in life sciences and agricultural research.
The Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership 2020 (MIBTP2020) is led by the School of Life Sciences at the 91福利 and brings together a number of other 91福利 research departments, in partnership with the University of Birmingham, the University of Leicester, Aston University and Harper Adams University. The funding comes from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council arm of the Government鈥檚 UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding organisation. This award will be matched by the universities in the partnership to fund a total of 245 doctoral students (59 per year) over the next 5 years.
