BBSRC - News stories and features

The future of the Rothamsted gets laid down in stone

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 11:57:41 +0100

BBSRC Chief Executive Jackie Hunter lays the foundation stone at Rothamsted's new Centre for Research and Enterprise.

Sir John Beddington is appointed the New Chair of the Rothamsted Research Board of Directors

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:40:26 +0100

Rothamsted Research is delighted to announce that Professor Sir John Beddington has been appointed as the Chair of the Rothamsted Research Board of Directors. He will take up his post at the longest running agricultural research institute in the world this week.

BBSRC to partner with London Science Festival

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 14:38:55 +0100

BBSRC has announced a partnership with the successful London Science Festival to deliver the Great British Bioscience Festival later this year.
The free festival will be a culmination of a yearlong programme of activities marking BBSRC 20th Anniversary and will bring world-leading bioscience research groups from across the UK to East London.

The importance of diversity

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 14:05:06 +0100

Following a recent article on diversity in 'The Biologist' by BBSRC's Chief Executive Professor Jackie Hunter, we take a look at why diversity is vital to UK bioscience and some recent achievements in this area.

European vision for synthetic biology published

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 12:53:23 +0100

A European vision for synthetic biology has been launched today.
The Strategic Vision, coordinated by BBSRC, represents the culmination of the strategic activities of the Synthetic Biology ERA-NET (ERASynBio) - a project which aims to develop and coordinate synthetic biology in the European Research Area.

Neuroscientists discover brain circuits involved in emotion

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 11:01:27 +0100

BBSRC-funded neuroscientists have discovered a brain pathway that underlies emotional behaviours critical for survival.
New research by the University of Bristol, published in the Journal of Physiology today, has identified a chain of neural connections which links central survival circuits to the spinal cord, causing the body to freeze when experiencing fear.

Ticks help spread lumpy skin disease among cattle

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 14:04:22 +0100

Three bloodsucking hard tick species, commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa, are involved in the transmission of a debilitating livestock disease called lumpy skin disease to cattle herds across Africa.

Chief Executive's blog: Practical school science is vital

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 13:08:40 +0100

Last week I was very disappointed to learn that Ofqual had recommended the downgrading of practicals in the new A and AS level syllabus.
The reasons given for this were primarily that:
Predictable assessments have led to narrow teaching, students getting similar results and assessments that don’t give exam boards evidence
Marks that don’t reflect students’ overall ability
I don’t feel that the reforms are the way to address these problems.

Rothamsted Research granted permission for new GM field trial

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 13:07:54 +0100

Rothamsted Research submitted an application in late January 2014 to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for permission to carry out a GM field trial on the Rothamsted Farm in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Events

Fri, 31 Jan 2014 13:17:05 +0000

View all our upcoming events including exhibitions, conferences, workshops and training courses