£19 million to investigate bold ideas in bioscience research
Five world-class teams are set to receive a total of over £19 million from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to support adventurous research aimed at tackling significant fundamental questions in bioscience.
The Dupree Group and their collaborators have identified genes that regulate the properties of pectin, with their mutants causing pectin to gel as jam in the plant cell wall.
Algae-powered computing: our scientists create a reliable and renewable biological photovoltaic cell
The Howe Group have used a widespread species of blue-green algae to power a microprocessor continuously for a year - and counting - using nothing but ambient light and water. The system has potential as a reliable and renewable way to power small devices.
Effectiveness of antibiotics significantly reduced when multiple bugs present
The Welch Group has found that much higher doses of antibiotics are needed to eliminate a bacterial infection of the airways when other microbes are present. Their study helps to explain why respiratory infections often persist in people with lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis despite treatment.
