Dr Helen Foster and Professor Elton Zeqiraj smile at the camera. Elton image credit: Dan Mao

👏 @zeqiraj.bsky.social and @helenfoster.bsky.social, both in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, have scooped two prestigious awards from @biochemsoc.bsky.social!

Congratulations both - incredibly well-deserved.

Read the full story 👇 biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/biological-s...

A member of staff stood talking to two students who are sat down inside a lab based classroom. The students are working at a computer and surrounded by lab based equipment, there are more students working on equipment in the background.

The Astbury Conversation is nearly here! 🧪

A two-day conference on 20–21 April, connecting people with a passion for structural and chemical biology, biophysics, and biotechnology.

Learn about the organiser and host behind the public event ➡️ bit.ly/41CLTWu

More about the public event below 👇

Dr Camilla Nykjaer

Meet Dr Camilla Nyjkjaer @camillanykjaer.bsky.social

In this short video, part of our new #ResearcherSpotlight series, hear how Camilla's research is shaping healthier pregnancies for women in underserved communities @universityofleeds.bsky.social

🎥 biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/biological-s...

Alumni award demonstrates ‘why international education matters’ Professor Abhishek D. Garg has been shortlisted for a prestigious international award celebrating the contributions of Indian students who have studied in the UK.

Why international education matters...

Congratulations to Leeds alumnus Professor Abhishek D Garg @abhishekgarglab.bsky.social who has been named an Indian Achiever in Education, Science and Innovation at the 2026 NISAU India UK Achievers Awards 🎉

biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/biological-s...

Leeds Partnership Awards 2026: Categories - Leeds University Union The Leeds Partnership Awards are an annual celebration of the incredible contributions made by staff and students across the University.  These awards shine a spotlight on achievements in areas such a...

♥️ It's time to say thank you to our brilliant colleagues and students in the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

The LUU Partnership Awards nominations close on 19 February. Show your appreciation and nominate someone today.

#LeedsPA2026

www.luu.ac.uk/leeds-partne...

Leeds antibody alternative recognised in government science strategy A lab-produced antibody technology developed by researchers at Leeds has been recognised in a government strategy for reducing the use of animals in scientific research.

🔬Great to see Adhirons, developed here at Leeds, recognised in the UK Government's recent strategy to reduce animal testing.

The technology offers an alternative to traditional antibodies and is already being used for drug discovery and diagnostics. Supported by @nc3rs.bsky.social

bit.ly/4rnjLSs

📊 UK Health & Biomedical Data Scientists - can we get your input? 🧬

Do you work with health or biomedical data?
Use statistics, maths, AI or ML in healthcare or life sciences?
Support health research as a data engineer?

Promotional graphic for the Leeds Partnership Awards 2026 including an image of two people hugging.

🏆The LUU Partnership Awards 2026 nominations are now open

Know someone in the Faculty of Biological Sciences who deserves recognition?

Don't delay, go ahead and nominate them today!

Deadline: 19 Feb www.luu.ac.uk/leeds-partne... #LeedsPA2026

Sound advice: Researchers advise Radio 4’s The Archers on future of farming Two Leeds academics were recently invited behind the scenes of Radio 4’s The Archers to advise on how British farming and food systems might evolve over the next 25 years.

When academic expertise meet popular culture 📻

Find out what happened when Leeds researchers Tim Benton & Stefan Kepinski visited BBC Radio 4's #TheArchers (and the fictional village of Ambridge!) to advise on the future of UK farming.

👀 bit.ly/3YANfzQ

@afnnetwork.bsky.social

People seated facing a stage. Some people have their hands up waiting to ask a question

Have you seen our Jan, Feb and March webinar line-up?

Visit our Eventbrite page to read about what we have coming up and to register your place www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/global-foo...

These sessions are free and open to all.

We also upload the recordings to YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?lis...

🌎 Excited to announce an array of global speakers including Stephen Mann FRS from the University of Bristol, Roland Dunbrack from the Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and Bruno Correia from EPFL in Switzerland.

Find out more and book your place now: astburyconversation.leeds.ac.uk/programme/

Green promotional graphic for Astbury Conversation 2026 with molecular illustration. Text reads ‘Astbury Conversation 2026 – Designing Biology. Join us on 20–21 April at the University of Leeds.'

Is attending a world-leading biology conference on your new year to-do list?

This April, the Astbury Conversation brings together expert researchers to explore 'Designing Biology' in its widest sense

Full programme: lnkd.in/ebpG5Nfz
#AstburyConvo26 #DesigningBiology @astburycentre.bsky.social

How can animal waste be used in sustainable farming? Join this free webinar from our friends over at GFEI to find out...

Looks fab! And in a great space too :)

BBS Awards BBS Awards The BBS Kendrew Doctoral Thesis Prize was established in 2019 and will be awarded every two years for an outstanding PhD thesis in biophysics for which the principal work has been carried o...

🎉 Congrats to the faculty's Dr Jonathan Machin who has been awarded the British Biophysical Society's 2026 Kendrew Doctoral Thesis Prize, for his outstanding research on outer membrane proteins.

Read more here: britishbiophysics.org/awards/

Insightful article here from microbiology student Fatima Arshad on an early pioneer in sustainable agriculture ⬇️ @blackinplantsci.bsky.social

Researchers warn of hidden risk of wildlife corridors Efforts to reconnect fragmented habitats are vital for biodiversity, but new research warns that ecological corridors can also create unintended risks.

Wildlife corridors are vital for biodiversity, but new research warns they can also spread diseases, invasive species & wildfires.

A Nature Reviews Biodiversity paper from Josh Firth @universityofleeds.bsky.social Sarah Knowles @biology.ox.ac.uk & Ivan Jarić @ivanjaric.bsky.social

bit.ly/4iisAJR

What are the challenges of farming in an unpredictable climate?

New blog from @globalfoodleeds.bsky.social featuring faculty researcher Dr Ruth Wade 👇

And access the full publication in the Journal of Neuroinflammation here ▶️ rdcu.be/eQuzQ

Tickborne disease cases are rising in the UK, thanks to climate change As the UK’s tick habitats expand and infection risk rises, most TBEV cases remain undetected. Metabolic studies of biomarkers in infected patients could soon allow us to diagnose and manage this patho...

👀 Read a recent @bmj.com piece which features the study www.bmj.com/content/391/...

Tick on a branch against green background - image Adobe Stock

Dr Niluka Goonawardane, University of Leeds

Tick-borne encephalitis virus is on the rise in Europe.

Leeds research reveals how the virus alters brain molecules, providing a possible route to faster, clearer diagnosis.

Important study led by Dr Niluka Goonawardane @nilukaglab.bsky.social @wellcometrust.bsky.social

🔗 bit.ly/4r6qOiI

📆Save the date: 20-21 April 2026

#AstburyConvo26 is back with a bold new theme: Designing Biology.

Expect cutting-edge talks and the chance to shape the future of molecular science.

Register now: astburyconversation.leeds.ac.uk

@astburycentre.bsky.social @universityofleeds.bsky.social

🗣️ Professor Andrew Macdonald, Faculty of Biological Sciences Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation said:

“This continued investment is hugely significant. It creates opportunities to build new teams, develop pioneering ideas, and strengthen international partnerships.”

🔬Connecting molecular insight to disease

Professor Elton Zeqiraj @zeqiraj.bsky.social, with collaborators from @dundee.ac.uk will study how ribosomes work and fail in disease.

Both projects will use the world-class Astbury Biostructure Laboratory at Leeds and cutting-edge microscopy equipment.

🧪 Understanding amyloid fibrils

Professors Sheena Radford and Neil Ranson will explore how amyloid fibrils form and interact with cells - vital for understanding Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Type 2 diabetes.

Two more Wellcome Discovery Awards reinforce Leeds as leader in biological research Some of Leeds’ top biological researchers have received two new Wellcome Discovery Awards, confirming the university’s status as a centre of excellence in biological research.

Leeds researchers have secured two major Wellcome Trust Discovery Awards.

The awards bring £3.4 million to support research exploring life at the molecular level and to deepen our understanding of disease.

🔗Full story: bit.ly/4oW3D99

@astburycentre.bsky.social @universityofleeds.bsky.social

Sounds like a fantastic project!

Dr Carly Day joins growing team of experts in Sport and Exercise Medicine Leeds is continuing to strengthen its reputation as a leading institution in Sport and Exercise Medicine with the appointment of a new visiting professor.

A warm welcome to Dr Carly Day, who joins us as Visiting Clinical Professor in Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Bringing international experience from Purdue Athletics and the US U20 Women’s National Soccer Team, Dr Day is a fantastic addition to our teaching and research.

🔗https://bit.ly/3Jt76wS

Inspiring event here about resilience and leadership, with special guest speaker Shaunna Burke 👇

Interested in finding out more? Join one of Hannah's free 'Moving through menopause' workshops:

📆Tuesday 28 October, Thursday 30 October, Tuesday 4 November
🏋️‍♀️Gryphons Performance Hub, University of Leeds

Book your place here: festivalofsocialscience.com/events/movin...