Life Sciences News
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The Joy of Seeds
'Seeds are little bundles of future potential'. Find out about the wonders of seeds from Dr Charlotte Allender.
Read the Knowledge Centre article.
Impact of marine carbon on climate change to be investigated by Warwick Scientists
185 scientists won part of the European Research Council’s (ERC) €450 million for Europe’s long-term frontier research, one of which was Professor David Scanlan, from the School of Life Sciences.
Researcher discusses slime mould on The One Show
On Tuesday 31 March, Ian Hands-Portman took part in The One Show discussing the networking ability of slime mould.
Watch on BBC iPlayer (item is 11 mins in).
Learn more about Slime Moulds.
Professor Andrew Easton discusses the potential development of Covid-19
Andrew Easton, Emeritus Professor of virology from the University of Warwick's School of Life Sciences, discusses the potential development of COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccines live on anews (19 March 2020).
Dr Mike Tildesley discusses the coronavirus pandemic
Dr Mike Tildesley, Associate Professor of Life Sciences, discusses the coronavirus pandemic and what lessons can be learned from previous outbreaks of flu (TRT World Now, 18 March 2020).
Young Coventry performers use Warwick experts to help with climate science in new production
University of Warwick researchers have shared their knowledge in the development of a new play showing at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry this week.
Dr Erin Dilger, a researcher in tropical disease, spent time with the cast and writers of the new production to help feed in and break down scientific facts about climate change and environmental issues. On Friday 13 March, Dr Dilger and other Warwick academics will join in a panel discussion after the performance.
Microbial interactions in aquatic environments to be investigated
The microbes found in aquatic environments and their interactions will be investigated by Warwick researcher Professor Orkun Soyer, thanks to an investigator award from The Gordon and Betty Moore foundation.
Coronavirus:Your Questions
Dr Mike Tildesley answers viewers' questions about coronavirus on the BBC News Channel (Broadcast 09.03.2020).
Arctic's Global Seed Vault to receive 1000 types of seeds from Warwick'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 University of Warwick Wellesbourne campus.
UK researchers aim to tackle top horticultural pests and diseases
National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) researchers are taking on four new research programmes tackling high priority pests and diseases, thanks to a new £250,000 initiative from Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and AHDB.
This pilot initiative between AHDB and BBSRC will address critical research questions associated with high priority pests and diseases that present a significant threat to UK horticultural production. The projects will run from late 2019 until March 2020 and the results will be shared with the industry when available.
Dr John Clarkson is a collaborator with NIAB Research Scientist Dr Helen Bates on a project to develop disease prediction of onion basal rot using a quantitative molecular test.
Check your pulses
The Knowledge Centre look at research by Professor Eric Holub into new haricot bean varieties which are suitable for growing in the UK climate.
Read the article
Learning and Teaching Workshop: Re-imaging the first year student experience - 20 March 2020
SLS is hosting a FREE Royal Society of Biology sponsored HUBS learning and teaching workshop on 20 March 2020 to develop ideas and strategies to inform our understanding of what makes for the best possible undergraduate bioscience first year.
Professor Andrew Easton comments on the Coronavirus outbreak
Professor Andrew Easton talks live to Sky News about the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak:
Infectious diseases to be detected and prevented thanks to £4m grant
A £4 million grant from The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) was awarded to researchers led by Professor Xavier Didelot, to set up a new Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Genomics and Enabling Data. This unit will ensure that cutting edge genomic methods are being used to protect public health.
Warwick ranked as one of UK’s top 3 Universities for “High Flier” graduates most sought after by leading employers
Leading employers have ranked the University of Warwick as one of UK’s top three universities for “High Flier” graduates most sought after.
School of Life Sciences retains Royal Society of Biology advanced accreditation for its 4 year MBio degrees
The School of Life Sciences is proud to announce that it has been awarded another 5 years of Royal Society of Biology (RSB) advanced accreditation for its 4 year integrated Masters (MBio) degrees. Our new Neuroscience degree has gained interim accreditation which should be awarded full advanced accreditation upon graduation of the first cohort.
Advanced Degree Accreditation by the Society recognises academic excellence in the biosciences, and highlights degrees that educate the research and development leaders and innovators of the future. The Advanced Accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from the programme meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including gaining a substantial period of research experience.
Graduates from these programmes will receive one year of free membership to the RSB at Associate level. They can also apply for membership of the RSB at member (MRSB) level after two years of practice rather than the usual three years, due to the significant research experience gained.
The RSB is the leading professional body for the biological sciences in the UK. It represents over 17,000 biologists from all areas of the life sciences, as well as over 100 organisations which make up the diverse landscape of biology in the UK and overseas. It offers members unique opportunities to engage with the life sciences and share their passion for biology.
Seventy years of crop research at Warwick’s Wellesbourne campus celebrated at industry event
Over 100 scientists, industry experts and employees past and present gathered at Warwick’s Wellesbourne campus this week (Wednesday 18 December) to mark 70 years of crop research on the site.
Slime Santa beard likes hot peppers
· A slime Santa beard has been made by Ian Hands-Portman at the University of Warwick’s School of Life Sciences
· The slime is a not a plant, animal or fungi it is a myxomycete, and feeds off oats, likes hot peppers, but doesn’t like chocolate
· Slime molds are useful to scientists and are being used to research cancer treatments as it is one cell with multiple nuclei, they also solve mazes and maps in a more efficient way than humans, so computer scientists are looking at using them for faster lower energy computers and sat-navs.
The Vegetables of Christmas Future
If you think about a traditional Christmas dinner, there’s turkey with pigs in blankets, or maybe you prefer a nut roast. But the rest is vegetables. A large proportion of our plate should be covered in vegetables, and the standard winter varieties, like carrots and sprouts, are grown very successfully in the UK.
But will this always be the case? Climate change is bringing with it new challenges as well as making known pests and diseases more difficult to tackle. Scientists at Warwick's Crop Centre, are working to understand the pests and diseases of the some of the UK’s major crops and developing, using traditional plant breeding and genetic expertise, new resistant varieties.
How sand fly mating habits are helping tackle tropical disease in £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 Warwick University and Professor Gordon Hamilton of Lancaster University, developed the concept as part of a £2.5M project funded by The Wellcome Trust and published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.