Unravelling the DNA dilemma: A new chapter in rare disease research

‘Hope is not lost’ for the 50 per cent of people with undiagnosed rare diseases, says UK genomics expert Neil Ward, of PacBio. New technologies can provide more accurate, in-depth data on the genome,...

Brain scan tech takes major step forward

Advanced MRI scanners being developed by University of California Berkeley will allow doctors and scientists to see the brain in greater detail than ever before, which could lead to ground-breaking treatments for brain disorders...

Major study describes brain pathology of domestic violence

A major international brain autopsy study of women who had experienced intimate partner violence reveals substantial damage in the brain, but no evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the neurodegenerative disease recognised among contact...

Growing microtumours in a dish hailed as ‘rapid way to identify tumour genes’

Researchers have identified a new way to screen genes that cause several different types of cancers to grow, identifying particularly promising targets for precision oncology in oral and esophageal squamous cancers. The study, published in...

Genomics leads fight against antimicrobial resistant typhoid

A genomic survey of typhoid fever in Zimbabwe has shown how the bacteria behind recent outbreaks evolved extra levels of antimicrobial resistance. Researchers from the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory, Quadram Institute and University of East...

Forget sweet dreams – sweet genes could explain why a bad night’s sleep makes...

Parents of newborns might feel like they have aged a few years in those early months of sleepless nights. Now, scientists at the University of Leicester are investigating whether the secret to both a...

Velvet Worm slime could inspire sustainable synthetic materials

Fibers produced from the slime exhibit a strength akin to nylon, yet they can dissolve in water and be reconstituted into new fibers. n the tropical, temperate forests it calls home, the velvet worm uses...

Unlocking the secret strength of marine mussels

Discovery may lead to medical advances in bio-implants, wearable sensors,  & more. How do you create strong, yet quick-release connections between living and non-living tissues? This is a question that continues to puzzle bioengineers who...

Organ functions of the human yolk sac revealed

The role of the human yolk sac in supporting early embryonic development and the first wave of the prenatal immune system has been mapped in a study published in Science. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger...

Tackling critical health challenges in space

New research by The University of Manchester will enhance the power of bioprinting technology, opening doors to transform advances in medicine and address critical health challenges faced by astronauts during space missions. Bioprinting involves using...

Software untangles genetics linked to common ancestry

Aston University has worked with international partners to develop a software package which helps scientists answer key questions about genetic factors associated with shared characteristics among different species. Called CALANGO (comparative analysis with annotation-based genomic...

AI disease testing platform developed for military use

Drive to improve the UK’s capability to manage and treat personnel affected by virulent infectious agents. A portable prototype of an AI-powered disease testing platform for the military is being funded by the Defence and...

New materials could lead to implantable treatments for epilepsy

A prospective cure for one type of epilepsy could be one step closer,                  using flexible brain implants. Bioengineering researchers from the University of Glasgow have investigated new...

NETPark – A Jewel in the region’s business crown

NETPark is a globally significant science park where innovation is the order of every day. It is where thinkers go to think, inventors go to invent, and doers go to do. In the almost 20...

Revealed: the first wiring map of neurons in insect brain

Researchers have built the first ever map showing every single neuron and their wiring in the brain of the fruit fly larva. This huge step forwards in science will ultimately help us understand the basic...

New ‘gene therapy factory’ opens

A new Clinical Biotechnology Centre (CBC) has opened in Bristol to expand the UK’s ability to develop and manufacture new gene and cell therapies. The Centre will make products for the development of potentially curative...