News from 2019 tagged as news

August

BBSRC collaboration with US funders NSF and NIFA to support Breakthrough Technologies to Advance Crop Breeding news

In this recent collaboration with US funders, BBSRC supports 10 research projects focussing on using and developing cutting edge technology to advance crop breeding with £2 million from the Fund for International Collaboration (FIC) which was announced earlier this year. In these two year high-risk, high-reward projects British researchers collaborate with US researchers funded by either the National Science Foundation (NSF) or USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The total call volume is approximately £8 million.

Pirbright scientists join Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research news

A £45 million boost to data and building infrastructure will support major advances in areas such as drug discovery, cancer genetics, regenerative medicine and crop disease prevention over the coming decades. Bioinformatics - the science of analysing, storing and sharing large biological datasets - is essential to discovering how genes affect the health of humans, plants and animals.

June

Copyright: AndreyPopov/iStock/Thinkstock

Use your expertise and experience and join BBSRC's Pool of Experts and Follow-on Fund Committee news

BBSRC, part of UK Research and Innovation, is now looking for people to join our pool of experts to provide knowledge and insight. BBSRC plays a crucial role in the health and vibrancy of UK bioscience and is now looking for people to join our pool of experts and follow-on fund committee to ensure that we continue to invest in high-quality research, innovation and training in the biosciences.

Bioscience Big Ideas Pipeline news

Do you have an exciting and ambitious Big Idea? Introducing the Biosciences Big Ideas Pipeline.

Appointments to the Councils of UK Research and Innovation news

Do you want to play a vital role in the UK's research and innovation system? UK Research and Innovation brings together the seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England. We work to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

May

Copyright: TCmake_photo/iStock/Thinkstock

Data-intensive bioscience review - expressions of interest for community workshops news

BBSRC is conducting a review of data-intensive bioscience research in 2019. By identifying current issues and future needs within the research community the review will ensure BBSRC is well positioned to support future requirements.

BBSRC winners of Innovator of the Year 2019 news

Professor Achillefs Kapanidis from the University of Oxford and Mr Bo Jing, CEO of Oxford Nanoimaging have been named as BBSRC’s Innovator of the year 2019 - an award celebrating excellent research which demonstrates impact. Twelve finalists competed for the title at the Science Museum in London last night, 15 May 2019.

The image shows disturbed distribution of immune cells in a Peyer's patch during worm infection. Copright: The Roslin Institute

Gut worms may hinder the spread of prions to the brain news

A study of an infectious brain condition that destroys nerve cells helps to explain why some individuals may be at more risk than others. The study shows how the progression of prion diseases to the brain is slowed if animals have previously been infected with a gut worm.

This latest research establishes a clear link between temperature and productivity. Copyright: Phil Robinson

The winter weather window that is costing UK rapeseed growers millions news

UK rapeseed growers are losing up to a quarter of their crop yield each year because of temperature rises during an early-winter weather window. This figure emerged in new research by the John Innes Centre which identifies a critical period from late November to the Winter Solstice, December 21 or 22, where temperature has a strong link to yields.

April

Chicken immune genes could help commercial breeders reduce viral infections news

A collaborative study led by The Pirbright Institute and Imperial College London has identified variations in the genes of chicken antiviral proteins called IFITMs which could have an impact on their ability to fight viral infections. This is the first study to look at the natural genetic variation of IFITM genes across breeds, which could be used to inform commercial poultry breeding.

Parkinson's clues seen in tiny fish could aid quest for treatments news

Parkinson’s patients could be helped by fresh insights gained from studies of tiny tropical fish. Research using zebrafish has revealed how key brain cells that are damaged in people with Parkinson’s disease can be regenerated.

BBSRC asks for community input on data intensive bioscience news

BBSRC is conducting a review of data-intensive bioscience research in 2019. The ‘Forward Look for UK Bioscience’ recognises the importance of data-intensive research and this review will help strengthen BBSRC’s understanding of the research landscape in this area.

The restriction or inhalation of common sugar could one day treat a range of respiratory diseases. Copyright: Fritz

Sugar could be sweet solution to respiratory disease news

Restriction or inhalation of common sugar could one day treat a range of respiratory diseases, according to new research led by University of Manchester biologists.The study in mice reveals how the ability of cells to use glucose helps to regulate the immune system during lung inflammation.

March

Tomato plants, losing less water to the atmosphere. Copyright: University of Glasgow

Scientists find new, more efficient way to reduce water use and improve plant growth news

A team of scientists has revealed a new, sustainable way for plants to increase carbon dioxide (CO2) use for photosynthesis while reducing water usage. The breakthrough was led by a team of plant scientists at the University of Glasgow and is published in the journal Science.

Strength in Places Fund: Strong bids from every region and nation of the UK will be taken forward to the final decision stage news

Twenty-four ambitious projects, from pharmaceuticals to aerospace, and transport to the creative economy, are to receive early-stage funding to develop full-stage bids that could lead to significant economic growth in places across the country. Each of the shortlisted projects from the first wave of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Strength in Places Fund has been awarded up to £50,000 in early-stage funding, which will allow applicants to develop full-stage bids.

Planned outage of Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) system, 21-25 March 2019 news

Due to essential maintenance, the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system will be unavailable from 17:00 GMT on Thursday 21 March to 10:30 GMT Monday 25 March 2019. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to keep disruption of service to a minimum.

A £45 million boost to data and building infrastructure for EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute. Copyright: Spencer Phillips/EMBL-EBI

£45 million boost for big data bioinformatics research to drive discovery news

Testing milk samples could enhance foot-and-mouth disease surveillance news

A follow on study by scientists at The Pirbright Institute and the University of Glasgow has demonstrated that milk samples collected in the field can be used successfully to recognise cattle infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). This method was used in Tanzania, where the disease is endemic and outbreaks across regions are frequent.

BBSRC leader celebrates balance on International Women's Day news

On International Women’s Day, Professor Melanie Welham, Executive Chair for the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation shares her passion for family, bioscience and a balanced life. “In any professional role, conflicts can develop in your mind between what you are delivering for that role and the responsibilities you have to your family – it’s about trying to find a balance that works for you,” says Professor Welham.

The Babraham Institute is celebrating 25 years of schools engagement. Copyright: Babraham Institute

Silver anniversary for Babraham Institute Schools' Day! news

Today, (06 March 2019) the Babraham Institute celebrates its 25th Schools’ Day – an annual event where the Institute’s researchers guide secondary and sixth-form students through hands-on lab projects. As it was for the first Schools’ Day in 1995, the day gives students an opportunity to explore the world-leading bioscience taking place at the Institute.

New study on the impact of farming technologies on salmon robustness news

Aquaculture experts at the University of Stirling are leading a £2 million study that aims to provide important information on the impact of innovative farming technologies on salmon. The Robust-Smolt study – involving 14 institutions and organisations – will compare the robustness and susceptibility of Atlantic salmon to pathogens when reared in recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS), used in fish farming to reduce the need for fresh, clean water while maintaining a healthy environment for fish.

People tend to unwittingly choose a life partner who is likely to have a comparable life expectancy. Copyright free (Elizabeth Tsung on Unsplash/Creative Commons CC0)

People choose romantic partners with similar lifespan news

People tend to unwittingly choose a life partner who is likely to have a comparable life expectancy, research suggests. They also unconsciously select mates who share similar risks of illnesses - such as high blood pressure or heart disease - according to a genetic study.

February

From Bird Flu to Bovine TB: £3m announced to continue the fight against animal-to-human diseases news

It is estimated that zoonoses – diseases capable of passing from animals to human - are responsible for 2.5 billion cases of human illness and 2.7 million human deaths worldwide each year. As well as threatening human and animal health, zoonotic diseases affect livestock production, causing economic and social harm to communities in both developed and developing countries. Around $220 billion was lost globally between 2000 and 2010 due to zoonotic disease.

The latest research could help develop breeds that have less feathers and are more heat resistant. Copyright free (pixabay/creative common CCO)

Understanding feather formation could lead to cooler birds news

Scientists have revealed how bird feathers form which could help develop breeds that are more heat resistant. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute identified chemical signals that are switched on and off in the birds’ skin as feathers are arranged sequentially.

Tim Etheridge from the University of Exeter with some of the worms in test cassettes. Copyright: University of Exeter

Space worms set to help researchers understand muscle loss news

Following a space flight to the International Space Station and back to earth thousands of tiny worms are set to help researchers understand more about muscle loss in astronauts. During spaceflight an astronaut’s body changes. Losing muscle mass can affect their ability to work on a long space mission. Astronauts can lose up to 40% of their muscle after 6 months in space.

C. elegans worms with a fluorescent protein, imaged using a confocal microscope. Copyright: Dr Laetitia Chauve, Babraham Institute

What can worms tell us about human ageing? news

Worms can tell us more about human ageing than you might think, according to research led by the Babraham Institute. In a cluster of papers, the latest of which has just been published, shows how researchers have used the tiny worm C. elegans to understand more about the link between metabolism and ageing.

January

Copyright free (Pixabay/Creative Commons CC0)

The BBSRC Impact Writing Competition 2019 news

Are you aware of inspiring research, supported by BBSRC, making a real, tangible difference to people’s lives? If so, this is an opportunity to put your writing skills to the test.

Horizon 2020 grant holders – have you submitted your details to UKRI's portal? news

UK organisations holding grants from Horizon 2020, the European Union’s flagship programme for research and innovation, need to submit information about them into a UKRI portal designed to capture basic details about the grants. This will ensure that UKRI can keep UK researchers and businesses informed of the next steps if the government needs to underwrite Horizon 2020 payments.

Copyright: Norovirus – a highly infectious virus that can cause outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting. (C) NCCID

Scientists find new way to target norovirus family news

Researchers have made a significant break-through in understanding how a family of viruses, including the norovirus, initiate infections. The new study, published in Nature and led by the University of Glasgow, reveals the inner workings of the calicivirus family, which includes norovirus and sapoviruses – highly infectious viruses that can cause outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting.