Latest SoLS news
Marie Kokolski, the new Chair of the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) Qualifications Committee
June 2026
Marie Kokowlski, who is the Director of Education and Student Expereince in SoLS, has taken on this new royal at the RMS where she overseas the . Thsi is a flexible portfolio-based course of study that is designed by the candidate with the assistance of their line-manager, and with input from existing Fellows of the Society. This approach ensures that the study is both challenging and rewarding whilst fitting with, and complementing, the candidate's existing employment. During this time the candidate will increase their skills and enhance their understanding of microscopy by developing or optimising protocols or applications. Marie has contributed to a number of areas in the RMS, especially in the areas of education and outreach and is ken to promote the Diploma as an opportunity for people to develop their skills and interests within their own workplace.
Council puts stop to snail race after complaints
June 2026
s. The event - which encouraged members of the public to find a snail and transport it to Nottingham Central Library - was due to go ahead in mid-June.
The Nottingham Animal Coalition, one of the campaign groups which led calls to cancel the race, described it as "unnecessary". Nottingham City Council said although it intended the demonstrations to be "light-hearted" and "educational", it had taken all of the feedback seriously and would never knowingly host an activity that could cause distress to animals.
Professor Angus Davison, an evolutionary biologist at the 海角黑料 in theschool of Life Sciences, is an expert on snails, using them in his lab to understand evolutionary and developmental genetics.
He said he had no concerns about snail racing in general, but the event planned in Nottingham should have been "better thought out".
"What you wouldn't want to happen is people to grab snails from all over Nottinghamshire, bring them into the city centre, take part in the race and then just discard them in the green space that's right outside the library," he said.
Professor Davison added the debate about this event should not put people off taking an interest in nature.
The pigeon fanciers of the Bronze Age
June 2026
Will Smith from the School of Life Sciences on writing in says that “Domestic animals have long been some of our closest companions. While dogs, cats, horses, cattle and chickens have all played major roles in human history, may be a little less familiar. But they are no slouch when it comes to cultural importance.”
"Charles Darwin wrote about to explore his theories of evolutionary change. Contemporary biologists have trained teams of pigeons to with an accuracy rivalling that of oncologists.
"Now, exploring ancient human-pigeon interactions in Cyprus has provided fascinating insights into the earliest stages of this millennia-long inter-species relationship.
“There are over , from homing pigeons used in competitive racing to the peculiar , which looks like it has survived a rather nasty electric shock. In 2020, a Belgian racing pigeon named sold for €1.6 million (£1.4 million).”
Major study demonstrates a critical role for CD206 in the clearance of capsulated bacteria by human spleen.
May 2026
Prof Luisa Martinez-Pomares and colleagues publication in has revealed new insights into the cellular mechanisms within the human spleen that play a critical role in clearing bacteria from the bloodstream, particularly during septicaemia.
Luisa’s early work focused on the spleen, an immune organ with the capacity to eliminate circulating bacteria from blood. This background led to her collaboration with Marco Oggioni (Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy) aclinical microbiologist and co-corresponding author of the new study. In mouse spleen, they discovered in 2018 that specialised macrophages linked in an unusual way to CD206, supporting the replication of the important pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major cause of human sepsis. These findings, published in , revealed the potential for this pathogen to hide and replicate within specialised immune cells and explains the inability of certain antibiotics to clear infection. Aware of the anatomical differences between mouse and human spleen unveiled by Luisa’s previous work, it was important to determine if something similar occurred in humans. This was not an easy task since to study the filtering capacity of human spleen it was necessary to work with whole organs. A major team, encompasing two countries and three Universities delivered on this challenge, and demonstrated that the human version of CD206 is critical for the elimination of circulating disease-causing capsulated bacteria by the spleen. This study provides a framework to explore ways to boost bacterial clearance in human spleen to protect against blood borne infections.
The tiger who came to T2T....
May 2026
A new paper from Laura Dean, Nadine Holmes and Matt Loose in collaboration with Phillipa Dobbs fromTwycross Zoo called "" comes from their work as part of the which supports rapid sequence of endangered species. The research was published in BMC Genomics explores various methods for genome assembly and demonstrates that recent advances in bioinformatic tools have made it possible to construct reference quality telomere to telomere assemblies using only a single sequencing technology (Oxford Nanopore Technology long-reads). This should make genome assembly cheaper, simpler and more accessible for researchers.
Best Day Ever. What does a good day in science look like?
May 2026
Science can be a slog: tedious, repetitive and maddening. Good days — the first moments after a newly discovered insight, holding an undescribed species or a student overturning a long-held assumption — are few and far between. But it’s these singular moments that remind researchers why they chose their career.
Nature’s careers team asked scientists what a good day in science looked like to them. Some anecdotes came through social media; others, we sought out. — from finding a dreamy location for a natural experiment to setting schoolchildren’s curiosity ablaze.
ANGUS DAVISON: Holding evolution in my hand
Evolutionary geneticist at the 海角黑料, UK.
In March, I fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit São Tomé and Príncipe, an island country off the west coast of central Africa. These tiny islands are a hotspot for left-coiling snails, but no one knows why. Snails are the only animal group that vary in their asymmetry: most snail shells coil to the right, but about 5% of the world’s species, found in specific locations, coil to the left. Most of the snails in the United Kingdom don’t vary in their shell-coiling direction, so I have to travel elsewhere to study it. While in São Tomé and Príncipe, we sampled three kinds of left-coiling snail, including the Obô giant snail (Archachatina bicarinata) and an as-yet-undescribed left- and right-coiling species in the same superfamily. Moreover, we were only the second scientists in the past 50 years or so to find living examples of the almost mythical Columna columna, which looks like a fat Cuban cigar. Evolution is in your hands when you hold one of these snails.
These snails can, in fact, shed light on human evolution. Human bodies are asymmetrical, with our hearts slightly to the left. I study the genes that determine coiling direction, which are thought to be linked to organ placement in humans. Back in the lab, I apply genomic methods to help understand the fundamentals of our shared biology and support efforts to conserve this remarkable fauna.
Bird flu vaccine trial against potential pandemic strain begins
April 2026
A major Phase 3 clinical trial for Moderna's mRNA-1018-H5 avian , aiming to vaccinate 3,000 participants across 26 sites, including Cripps Health Centre, 海角黑料 under the leadership of Prof David Turner from the School of Life Sciences. The mRNA-1018-H5 vaccine, developed by Moderna, uses technology similar to current COVID-19 vaccines to enable rapid production in the event of a pandemic.
The study has a focus on those working in the poultry industry and adults over 65, who are considered high-risk. The trial aims to test safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity (the strength of the immune response).
Move smarter, feel better: the psychology of effective workouts
April 2026
Not all exercise is created equal – how, where and with whom can all affect how we think about the exercise we’re doing. One of the strongest determinants of a positive exercise experience is social factors. Exercising with supportive friends or in a motivating group can amplify enjoyment, whereas a controlling instructor or high-pressure environment can increase stress.
Laurence Warren-Westgate, explains in : “Friends and a sense of community fulfil the psychological need for relatedness. When exercise satisfies this need, the mental health benefits are greater than when exercise is done solely for physical reasons.
“For some people, though, group environments can be anxiety-inducing and trigger social comparison, and any mental wellbeing benefit is lost. The key is to find the context that’s right for you. And it’s also possible that what’s right for you will change over time.”
Archaea highlighted on the BBC
March 2026
Congratulations to Prof Thorsten Allers for his excellent archaeal explanations on . Archaea are a distinct domain of single-celled microorganisms that, while resembling bacteria in structure (prokaryotes), possess unique biochemistry, genetics, and evolutionary history closer to eukaryotes. Known for thriving in extreme environments, they are also abundant in moderate habitats, playing key roles in ecosystems without causing diseases.
SoLS Technician Steve Galloway wins national photography competition
March 2026
Steve attended the awards night in London as a winner in the Portrait of Britian competition. The book containing all the winners photographs is now published and posters are on display across the UK, Steve has also been invited to a Photography talk series at Nottingham Trent University to present on the competition and his portraiture work.
Scientists identify key protein that stops malaria parasite growth
Thursday, 26 February 2026
An international team of scientists has shed light on the development of the malaria parasite and have identified a unique protein essential for its survival and transmission, which offers a promising new target for antimalaria drugs.
The discovery centres on a molecule named Aurora-related kinase 1 (ARK1). In a new study published in , researchers from the School of Life Sciences 海角黑料, National Institute of Immunology (NII), India, University of Groningen, the Netherlands, the Francis Crick Institute, and international collaborators, have revealed that ARK1 acts as a ‘traffic controller’ during the parasite's unusual cell division and growth process.
Malaria remains one of the world's deadliest diseases, caused by Plasmodium parasites that replicate rapidly within humans and mosquitoes. Understanding how these parasites divide and multiply is crucial to stopping the disease.
Unlike human cells, the malaria parasite divides and grows in a unique, atypical way. The research team discovered that ARK1 is responsible for organising the ‘spindle’ —the molecular machinery that pulls genetic material apart to create new parasites.
When the researchers turned off ARK1 in the lab, the results were striking. The parasite could no longer form proper spindles, causing its replication to fail, and crucially, parasites lacking ARK1 could not complete their development both in the host and the mosquito, effectively stopping the disease from being passed on.
“The name 'Aurora' refers to the Roman goddess of dawn, and we believe this protein truly heralds a new beginning in our understanding of malaria cell biology," said Dr Ryuji Yanase first author of the study from the School of Life Sciences at the 海角黑料.
"Plasmodium divides via distinct processes in the human and mosquito host, it was well and truly a team effort, which allowed us to appreciate the role of ARK1 almost simultaneously in the two hosts and shed light on novel aspects of parasite biology, " said Annu Nagar and Dr Pushkar Sharma from the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)-NII, New Delhi.
"What makes this discovery so exciting is that the malaria parasite's 'Aurora' complex is very different from the version found in human cells. This divergence is a huge advantage," Professor Tewari added. "It means we can potentially design drugs that target the parasite's ARK1 specifically, turning the lights out on malaria without harming the patient."
This study maps out the unconventional molecular machinery of the parasite, providing a "blueprint" for future drug discovery efforts aimed at breaking the cycle of malaria transmission.
The full study can be found .
Ancient tooth proteins reveal the history of mass violence at an Iron Age burial site
Tuesday, 24 February 2026
An international team of experts has helped shed new light on one of the largest prehistoric mass killing events, by studying ancient proteins preserved in human tooth enamel for around 2800 years.
Through the detection of specific protein fragments in tooth enamel samples using cutting-edge analytical methods, researchers at the 海角黑料 helped confirm the majority of the more than 77 individuals found in the mass grave, located in the south Carpathian Basin, were women and children. The predominance of women and younger individuals in the grave is exceptional in European prehistory, adding a new dimension to understanding Iron Age violence.
The study, which is published in , was jointly led by experts from University College Dublin, the Universities of Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Leiden, Kiel and the Museum of Vojvodina with contributions from scholars across Europe.
Overall, the study provides new evidence that the people buried together in the single-event mass grave experienced violent deaths, including bludgeoning and stabbing. Despite this, the site of the Gomolava burials, in Northern Serbia, showed significant investment of time and resources in its preparation, suggesting it may have been made a place for remembrance of the killings. The grave was found in a protected location and included personal items such as jewelry and bronze ornaments, ceramic drinking vessels, as well as the bones of up to 100 animals.
Genetic and isotope analysis carried out by the international team revealed very few victims were related to each other and that they also grew up in different settlements. The collective violence was most likely from targeted killing as part of a large-scale conflict that many settlements were caught up in.
The Nottingham team, Professor Rob Layfield and research technician Barry Shaw from the School of Life Sciences, and Professor Neil Oldham from the School of Chemistry, focused their analyses on small fragments of proteins entrapped in the ancient tooth enamel. These hold molecular signatures from the X and Y chromosomes but are present at such low levels that powerful detection methods are needed to read the information.
The challenge was recovering molecular information from samples that were thousands of years old, but fortunately tooth enamel, the hardest substance in the human body, provides incredible protein preservation. In fact, other researchers have been able to analyse proteins that are much older, in some cased more than a million years old. Part of our research vision is to develop and simplify methods needed to analyse ancient proteins, so they are more accessible to the wider archaeology community, to address similar questions of major historical significance.”Professor Layfield, part of the Nottingham Materials and Environment Science and Heritage Laboratories (N-MESH) network
Dr Linda Fibiger, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of History, Classics and Archaeology highlighted the broader significance of the study: “The brutal killings and subsequent commemorating of the event can both be read as a powerful bid to balance power relations and assert dominance over land and resources. The study sheds new light on targeted gender and age selective killings as a way of enacting mass violence and assertion of power in prehistoric Europe.”
The research was supported by the European Research Council (ERC) grant “The Fall of 1200 BC”. The Nottingham work was supported by the (AHRC), part of (UKRI), through the (RICHeS) programme.
海角黑料 photographer recognised in national Portrait of Britain award
Tuesday, 20 January 2026
A 海角黑料 technical specialist has been recognised by one of the UK’s most prestigious photography awards, with his work selected for nationwide public display as part of Britain’s largest annual photography exhibition.
Steve Galloway, Technical Photographic Specialist in the School of Life Sciences, has had two portraits shortlisted for the , a British Journal of Photography award, with one of his portraits to be included in the top 100 winning images selected for display on digital screens in high streets, shopping centres and transport hubs across the country.
Steve’s winning portrait depicts Jessica Harrison, a gymnastics teacher from Calverton, photographed in her local gymnasium. The image was created as part of a project documenting people from Steve’s local community and everyday life.
Steve’s second shortlisted portrait features Sizwe Jones, a musician and model originally from South Africa. and will be featured in the Portrait of Britain Vol. 8 photobook, which will be available next week. Sizwe’s portrait was created as part of The Anatome Project, a collaborative initiative involving students and staff from Life Sciences, Anatomy and The School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Originally established to address the lack of diverse representation in surface anatomy teaching materials, has been developed over the past two years into an extensive image bank used in education and training. The project was initiated by Dr Aisia Lee and Dr Deb Merrick and supported by colleagues in Biological Photography and Imaging, including David McMahon and Steve Galloway. In 2025, the project was recognised with a Lord Dearing Team Award.
Being recognised by the British Journal of Photography for this award is a real career highlight for me. Location-based portraiture is a relatively new area of practice for me, having mainly worked in the studio, so to be recognised on my first submission is incredible. I am already looking out for subjects around the University to photograph for next year’s competition.Steve Galloway, Technical Photographic Specialist, School of Life Sciences
Although much of his work focuses on scientific communication, Steve’s background is in commercial and portrait photography, and his current practice explores the application of photographic and design techniques within science communication.
Apprentice technician recognised in national government awards
Tuesday, 02 December 2025
An apprentice technician from the 海角黑料 has been recognised for her achievements at the Department for Education’s National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards.
Tyler Harvey-Cowlishaw is Senior Research Technician undertaking an apprenticeship in the School of Life Sciences at the university, and was highly commended in the Degree Level Apprentice of the year category.
The awards are designed to recognise and reward the achievements of exceptional apprentices and T level students, skills champions alongside apprenticeship and T Level employers.
Tyler's career began as a teen mum on a Level 3 apprenticeship, determined to continue her education while supporting her son. She's since progressed to Level 6, welcomed her baby daughter, and built a career her children can be proud of.
She founded the Science Apprenticeship Forum, leads national conferences, ensuring apprentices' voices help shape the future, exceeding expectations by using her journey to inspire others.
At the University Tyler is a valuable member of the technician team, providing vital laboratory support for research in Life Sciences. In addition to her technical role, Tyler also Chair of the Science Apprenticeship Forum where she helps lead initiatives to advance science apprenticeships, aiming to bridge the gap between apprentice experience and industry needs.
Commenting on the award, Tyler said: “I feel incredibly honoured to be Highly Commended at the National Apprenticeship & Skills Awards. This recognition from HM Government means so much, and I am grateful to everyone who has supported my journey, from mentors, colleagues and the wider apprenticeship community. I’m proud to champion science apprenticeships and excited to keep pushing for stronger pathways for future technical talent.”
Jodie Chatfield, Head of Technical Services in the School of Life Sciences at the 海角黑料, said: “Having supported Tyler from the beginning as a new apprentice, growing in skills, ability and knowledge, it is a proud moment to see her achieve her degree apprenticeship, and to get national recognition for her achievements is outstanding. Tyler is an inspiration to all.”
World first study to predict earliest signs of brain cancer recurrence
Monday, 17 November 2025
Experts from the 海角黑料 will use AI to combine genomic data and advanced MRI imaging to predict recurrence of deadly brain cancer - which will open options for personalised treatments for the incurable and aggressive disease.
The charity has announced a £2.6 million investment to help find a cure for the deadliest adult brain tumour. The charity will establish a Centre of Excellence at the 海角黑料, which will focus on improving the understanding and treatment of .
Incurable and notoriously difficult to treat, glioblastoma is the most aggressive and common type of brain tumour, with an overall survival of just 12-18 months. Some cancer cells remain in the brain even after surgery, leading to regrowth and once the tumour returns, there are very limited treatment options.
Now, in the first study of its kind, researchers at the new Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the 海角黑料 will combine advanced brain imaging scans, captured during surgery, and genomic analyses of cancer cells at the very edge of the tumour – known as the infiltrative margin. Harnessing the power of AI, and using mathematical modelling, they’ll provide predictions for the earliest signs of tumour recurrence based on an individual patient’s data.
When glioblastoma does grow back, it’s biology is much more similar to that of the infiltrative margin compared to the original tumour. Therefore, the team will focus on identifying drug targets in the infiltrative margin that could stop cancer growth. This will allow for earlier targeted treatment after surgery, before recurrence shows up on regular imaging scans. The hope is for clinical trials using this approach to start within 5 years.
We envision a future where, ultimately, brain imaging alone will identify drugs tailored to each individual patient, to block glioblastoma recurrence. This change won’t happen overnight – we need sustained investment in research into brain tumours to do the vital discovery and clinical work to make our vision of a cure for brain tumours a reality.”Professor Ruman Rahman, from the School of Medicine at the university and the Principal Investigator at the new Centre in Nottingham
Today’s announcement has been welcomed by people living with glioblastoma. Mum of four Verity Phillips, 35, from Lincolnshire, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2022 after collapsing.
Verity said: “Glioblastoma is brutal. Like most people diagnosed, I was given just 12 to 18 months to live. I’ve already beaten those odds, but I live from scan to scan, wondering how long I’ll be ‘lucky’ for. I’m a mum to four beautiful children; I want to be here for all the bedtime cuddles, all the silly squabbles and everything in between.
“We need more funding for more research now so that there are better treatments for all the mums who follow; for all those who will hear the words, ‘You have brain cancer’. The Nottingham Centre will be a beacon of hope to glioblastoma patients like me. I know my tumour isn’t going away, but as long as I’m here, I’ll continue to raise awareness and support research until a cure is found.”
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer. Yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.
Dan Knowles, CEO of Brain Tumour Research, said: “Brain Tumour Research, our supporters, and the broader community, are driven by the need to ensure that, in the future, no other family is forced to face this awful disease. We are driven by hope – which in turn stems from science and the tangible progress that is being made by our team of world-class scientists who dedicate their expertise every day to scientific discovery and making breakthroughs.
“We are on the cusp of change – and this new Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the 海角黑料 will play a pivotal role in delivering cutting-edge research to bring about the cure that is so desperately needed. Together, we have the chance to achieve our vision. Together we will find a cure.”