BBSRC news feed

Improved stem cell approach could aid fight against Parkinson's

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Scientists have taken a key step towards improving an emerging class of treatments for Parkinson’s disease. The advance could markedly improve a next generation of therapies for the condition, which affects around one in 350 people in the UK.

Hair colour gene study sheds new light on roots of redheads' locks

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Scientists have discovered eight genes linked to red hair, helping to solve a mystery of how redheads inherit their flaming locks. The study – which also sheds light on blondes and brunettes – is the largest genetic study of hair colour to date.

Season's greetings from BBSRC

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Message from BBSRC Executive Chair. As we approach the festive season, I invite you to join me in reflecting on some of the fantastic science stories from 2018 – behind each of the baubles on our Christmas reindeer is an example of the excellent research BBSRC has funded.

UK-wide consortium to combat serious threat to plant health

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Right Honourable Lord Henley, announces funding for a major bacterial plant diseases research programme supported by UK Research and Innovation’s Strategic Priorities Fund. The first phase of this investment initiates a UK-wide consortium to prepare for the possible introduction and spread of the devastating plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa into the UK.

Soil bacteria provide a promising E. coli treatment

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

E. coli, the notorious bug associated with severe food poisoning and usually caught from undercooked meat, is a common concern for anyone cooking over the festive period. While thoroughly cooking meat and washing vegetables and hands after food preparation can prevent E. coli infection, treatment for the severe stomach bug can be difficult, as antibiotics are known to make the disease worse by releasing a potent toxin into the infected person’s gut.

Don't quibble with a Gribble: why a curious crustacean could hold secret to making renewable energy from wood

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Scientists studying the digestive system of a curious wood-eating crustacean have discovered it may hold the key to sustainably converting wood into biofuel. Gribble are small marine invertebrates that have evolved to perform an important ecological role eating the abundant supplies of wood washed into the sea from river estuaries.

Launch of first UK led experiment to the International Space Station

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Final preparations are under way for the first UK experiment to take place on the International Space Station. The experiment will see thousands of tiny worms take off from the Kennedy Space Centre on a mission that will help scientists to better understand spaceflight-induced muscle loss.

2018: A year in review

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT

As 2018 draws to a close, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), reflects on the numerous discoveries made this year. One of the key milestones was met on 1 April 2018 when UK Research and Innovation launched, bringing together the seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England.

Planned outage of Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) system

Thu, 22 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Due to essential maintenance, the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system will be unavailable on Friday 23 November from 21:00 - Monday 26 November 08:00 (GMT). We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to keep disruption of service to a minimum.

£5.1 million UKRI funding for UK aquaculture research and innovation

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Vaccines made using algae are being developed to keep fish free from disease and help protect the UK’s aquaculture industry. The project is one of 12 to receive a total of £5.1 million which will further research to address challenges for aquaculture.