Life Sciences News
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Warwick scientists design model to predict cellular drug targets against Covid-19
A computational model of a human lung cell has been used to understand how SARS-CoV-2 draws on human host cell metabolism to reproduce by Dr Hadrien Delattre and Professor Orkun Soyer. This study helps understand how the virus uses the host to survive, and enable drug predictions for treating the virus to be made.
Press Release (25 November 2020)
Diabetic drug could slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease
A hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the degeneration of a group of neurons in the brain that release the neurotransmitter dopamine (dopaminergic neurons). By introducing low concentrations of structurally-defined aggregates of alpha synuclein, a key toxic species in Parkinson’s disease, into single dopaminergic neurons, Emily Hill and Dr Mark Wall have shown these protein aggregates open a specific channel in the cell membrane, reducing neuronal excitability.
Press Release (24 November 2020)
Breakthrough in studying the enzyme that ultimately produces fish odour syndrome
Fish odour syndrome (trimethylaminuria) is a debilitating disease, in which the liver cannot break down the smelly chemical trimethylamine which is produced by enzymes from bacteria residing in the gut leaving people with a fish like odour. Dr Mussa Quareshy and colleagues are paving the way to prevent the syndrome after a breakthrough in studying the enzyme in the gut which produces trimethylamine.
Press Release (23 November 2020)
Understanding lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis
For young people with cystic fibrosis, lung infection with Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, is common and is treated with antibiotics in the hope that this will prevent a decline in lung function. However there has recently been debate over the role S. aureus plays in CF lung disease. Dr Esther Sweeney, Dr Freya Harrison and colleagues have used a new model of CF lungs which could be used to make better decisions about future use of antibiotics.
Press Release (19 November 2020)
Chemical clues in leaves can reveal ash tree resistance to deadly disease
Dr John Sidda, Professor Murray Grant and colleagues, have identified a group of chemicals present in ash leaves which could be used as biomarkers to look for susceptibility or resistance to ADB.
Press Release (11 November 2020)
Could insect manure help grow crops? Warwick and Durham researchers to investigate
The waste from larvae production could be used as a crop fertiliser should commercial insect farms get off the ground in the UK. This is the concept that Rob Lillywhite and researchers at Durham University are investigating as part of a major government-funded project to look at the viability of rearing insects for animal feed in the UK.
Press Release (26 October 2020)
Scientists develop genetic ‘monitors’ that detect when genes are active
New genetic sensors, developed by Professor Alfonso Jaramillo and colleagues, could function as a lab test device and even as a live monitoring system inside living cells.
Press Release (26 October 2020)
SLS student is BBC Gardeners World Magazine Gardens of the Year finalist
Andy Gladman, a PhD student with Dr Dave Chandler, is a finalist in the BBC Gardeners World Magazine Gardens of the Year competition. His ornamental allotment in Leamington is one of eight gardens in the People’s Choice Award 2020.
Find out more, watch the video and take the opportunity to cast your vote at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2RZXD78
Voting closes at noon on Tuesday 27 October 2020.
Precautionary Breaks: planned, limited duration circuit breaks to control the prevalence of COVID-19
Cases of COVID-19 are rising exponentially in almost all regions of the country, with some areas experiencing extremely high levels of infection - new research involving University of Warwick researchers has found. Against this backdrop of rising cases, their paper examines the impact of a short 2-week period of intense control.
Press Release (14 October 2020)
1st International BioDesign Research Conference
Organised by Professor Alfonso Jaramillo and colleagues, the 1st International BioDesign Research Conference will be held 1-18 December 2020 via Zoom. The conference will showcase the latest achievements and research progress in the field of Biosystems Design and Synthetic Biology.
Find out more and register.
2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Warwick scientists explain Crispr-Cas9
This week, it was reported that the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna for their work on the technology of genome editing - more specifically, Crispr-Cas9. Scientists in the School of Life sciences who also research Crispr-Cas9 explain what it is, and discuss its significance in our lives.
Expert comment (8 October 2020)
UK Vegetable Genebank 40th Anniversary event 5-9 October
On 8 October 1980, the UK Vegetable Genebank was officially opened on what is now the Wellesbourne Campus of the University. Since then, a collection of ~14,000 seed samples has been amassed, becoming a hugely important resource for plant breeding and research. We send seed out on request to plant scientists, breeders and even farmers both in the UK and around the world. Changes in the environment, and increase in the number of people on the planet and a need to reduce irrigation, pesticide and fertilizer inputs in farming mean that plant breeders and researchers need develop new varieties constantly so that vegetables can continue to provide vital nutrition in our diets.
Forty Years of Seeds for the Future
To celebrate our anniversary, we are holding an online event from 5-9 October. Take a virtual tour of the genebank and register for our public webinar to hear about genebank collections from a plant breeding, research and international perspective. We’ll also be featuring research by groups within SLS, showing the diverse ways in which our seed is being used and how innovation and technology is opening up new approaches. See you there!
Genetic mutation may hold answers to controlled breathing
The relationship between the Cx26 gene and ability to regulate Carbon dioxide is to be explored by Professor Nick Dale thanks to a £686,956 grant, from the BBSRC.
Press Release (13 August 2020)
Natural way to boost crop yield to be explored by Warwick Scientists
An innovative way to increase plant yield naturally, reducing the need for expensive fertilisers is being explored by Dr Miriam Gifford, Dr Isabelle Carré and colleagues, thanks to a £492,343 grant from the BBSRC.
Press Release (12 August 2020)
Medieval medicine remedy could provide new treatment for modern day infections
Antibiotic resistance is an increasing battle for scientists to overcome, as more antimicrobials are urgently needed to treat biofilm-associated infections. However, Dr Freya Harrison and colleagues say research into natural antimicrobials could provide candidates to fill the antibiotic discovery gap.
Press Release (28 July 2020)
Plant-based diets shown to lower blood pressure even with limited meat and dairy
Consuming a plant-based diet can lower blood pressure even if small amounts of meat and dairy are consumed too, according to new research from the University of Warwick.
Press Release (27 July 2020)
Congratulations to all our students who graduated on 22 July!
Visit the SLS Virtual Yearbook 2020 to see messages celebrating their success.
Breakthrough in studying ancient DNA from Doggerland that separates the UK from Europe
Professor Robin Allaby and colleagues have achieved a number of innovative breakthroughs in analysing sedimentary ancient DNA to reconstruct an 8,150 year old environmental catastrophe in an area that is now covered by the North Sea.
Press Release(16 July 2020)
Double success at Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition
The 3MT develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills by challenging students to effectively explain their research in engaging, accessible language to a non-specialist audience.
This year, both winners came from SLS:
- Congratulations to the winner - Rohini Ajaykumar on 'Studying bacterial resistance for antimicrobial drug development'.
- And the runner up and popular choice winner - Scott Dwyer on 'Controlling honey bee parasites : will the mites meet their match?'.