Latest research
How safe is pathogen research?
By Michael Wood, policy intern at the Royal Society of Biology and the Biochemical Society Despite extensive vaccinations programmes and improved sanitation, communicable diseases that are caused by pathogens are still responsible for 20% of global deaths. Although an improvement from the figure of 25% in 1990, this still represents 11 million deaths annually which … Continue reading
Tackling environmental waste by engineering microbes to clean up after us
Nikolaus Muldal, microbiology graduate from the University of Sheffield, sheds light on the exciting field of synthetic biology and how it might help us clean up our environment. Imagine the scene: 640 Olympic sized swimming pools overflowing with plastic rubbish. One group of researchers found this to be an unfortunate reality with over four million … Continue reading
Scientists design new tool to help fight antibiotic resistance
By Ellie Welch, science media researcher at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. The first working model of a bacterial membrane has been created by researchers at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source in collaboration with Newcastle University. This model of E. coli will be an important tool … Continue reading
Fungi fight club!
Professor Lynne Boddy FRSB, Cardiff University, discusses one of her favourite subjects: fungus wars. As part of Biology Week, the British Mycological Society‘s UK Fungus Day is hosting events across the UK and Ireland around 10th & 11th October. Fungi rarely live alone, so they frequently encounter other fungi, bacteria and invertebrates, and sometimes vertebrates too. … Continue reading
Composting: recycling for the future
Dr Geoff Robson FRSB, senior lecturer at the University of Manchester discusses the role or fungi in composting. As part of Biology Week, the British Mycological Society‘s UK Fungus Day is hosting events across the UK and Ireland around 10th & 11th October. As I watched a JCB disassemble a 10m high compost heap so … Continue reading
Fungal Sat Nav
Dr Alexandra Brand FRSB, Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen discusses her research into fungal cells with a built-in navigation system. As part of Biology Week, the British Mycological Society‘s UK Fungus Day is hosting events across the UK and Ireland around 10th & 11th October. Fungi are microbes that permeate the world around … Continue reading
Genetically Modified Organisms (Part 2) – Are they safe and is there a need for them?
By Professor Nigel Brown FRSB, President of the Society for General Microbiology. Part 1 of this series described what GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are. There has been a backlash against these in some EU countries, including the UK. Two issues of concern are safety of individuals and safety of the environment. However, the main concern … Continue reading
You’re not alone in hating impact factors
By Rebecca Nesbit Hands up who hates impact factors. Everyone? Then why do we still use them? I believe one of the reasons is that we think the people at the top use them. There is no doubt some truth in this, though I was relieved to discover that many influential people are willing to … Continue reading
Listen to the debate: Eradicating Malaria: Can we do it? Should we do it?
In 2007, Bill and Melinda Gates committed themselves to eliminating malaria worldwide. Today, it has been eliminated in 111 countries but can it be eradicated worldwide? If it can, would the resources be better spent on other developing world health initiatives? Would controlling the disease be more beneficial than elimination? During Biology Week 2014 we … Continue reading
Improving life with cystic fibrosis
By Grace Paget, science writer Before I started volunteering for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust I had some knowledge of the genetic disorder from learning about it in biology lessons, but I had very little understanding of just how much of an impact it has on the people who have it and their families. Cystic fibrosis … Continue reading