#AstburyConvo26

Print portrait of scientist Florence Bell who, working in the lab of William Astbury at Leeds in 1938, first showed that X-rays could be used to reveal the regular, ordered structure of DNA. The print is a mosaic made up of tiny images from scientific papers and was made by artist and staff member Kristina Keller at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the USA where the original (based on a photo kindly provided by Mr Chris Sawyer) hangs outside the cafe on the Janelia campus.

@astburycentre.bsky.social If delegates to #AstburyConvo26 feel they need a break to take in some liquid refreshment & the historical roots of structural biology, then why not stroll up to ‘Golden Beam’ where Astbury’s fellow pioneer of X-ray methods in biology, Florence Bell now hangs on wall!!!

William Astbury A pioneer in the field of molecular biology, Astbury used X-ray crystallography to study molecular structures within living organisms.

Perfect timing! With #DesigningBiology as theme of #AstburyConvo26 @astburycentre.bsky.social have just written piece for @sciencehistory.org about molecular origami behind Astbury’s monkeynut coat as v early (albeit crude) example of redesigning biomolecules.
www.sciencehistory.org/education/sc...

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

📆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