Lydia Becker Institute

It was a great first day at British Science Week. We are talking mucus, microbes, and parasites!

🔬🎯 A great first day at the #BSW26 Science Fair at Manchester Museum!

We'll be there again tomorrow to engage with more pupils from schools in the North West + talk about our research and provide advice on a career in STEM!

#immunosky

Image of Lydia Becker, suffragist, scientist, trailblazer, International Women's Day 2026, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation. Image credit: @realmancsy

To celebrate #InternationalWomensDay, we’re honouring our namesake, Lydia Becker.

A pioneer for suffrage and a dedicated botanist, she fought for women’s right to scientific education. We continue her mission by championing the brilliant women leading the way in immunology research. #IWD2026

Publication Roundup: February 2026 Explore the latest immunology and inflammation research from our institute. View a roundup of our publications for February 2026.

🔬 Our February publication roundup is now live.

From new insights into melanoma control and myasthenia gravis to strategies for countering infectious disease misinformation - find out more 👇

sites.manchester.ac.uk/lydia-becker...

This International Women’s Day we are celebrating the leadership of Professors Judi Allen and Fiona Powrie, the Directors of the MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Exposome Immunology. Professor… | ... This International Women’s Day we are celebrating the leadership of Professors Judi Allen and Fiona Powrie, the Directors of the MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Exposome Immunology. Professor Jud...

For International Women’s Day, we celebrate Professors Judi Allen and Fiona Powrie, leaders of the MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology. Allen explores immune responses to parasites, while Powrie uncovers how immunity shapes gut balance and inflammation.

Find out more: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Publication Roundup: February 2026 Explore the latest immunology and inflammation research from our institute. View a roundup of our publications for February 2026.

🔬 Our February publication roundup is now live.

From new insights into melanoma control and myasthenia gravis to strategies for countering infectious disease misinformation - find out more 👇

sites.manchester.ac.uk/lydia-becker...

CD200R1 promotes the development of murine γδ17 T cells CD200R1 supports the development of murine IL-17–producing γδ T cells.

New data from Holly Linley, Amy Saunders and colleagues @lydiabeckeriii.bsky.social @manchester.ac.uk shows that "#CD200R1 promotes the development of murine #γδ17 #Tcells"

British Society for Immunology MIG seminar, Dr James Edgar, University of Cambridge: “Tethered exosomes and the MHC-II problem” Thursday 5th March 12 pm Michael Smith Lecture Theatre Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation

This week Dr James Edgar from the University of Cambridge joins us for our next @britsocimm.bsky.social MIG Seminar to give a talk entitled:

“Tethered exosomes and the MHC-II problem”

📆 Thursday 5th Mar
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Michael Smith Lecture Theatre

#ImmunoSky

Stroke’s Reach Beyond the Brain: New Study Reveals Impact on the Gut Immune System and Microbiome New research from the Lydia Becker Institute reveals how stroke impacts the gut-brain axis, altering IgA antibodies and the microbiome.

New research from the @hepworth-lab.bsky.social lab and @gjbrainresearch.bsky.social reveals how stroke impacts the gut immune system and microbiome.

By identifying changes in intestinal IgA and immune crosstalk, investigators are uncovering new ways to treat complications.

tinyurl.com/48v4jy9e

Lydia Becker – Herbology Manchester Posts about Lydia Becker written by Rachel, David Green, and Suzanne

herbologymanchester.wordpress.com/tag/lydia-be...

Ardwick Climate Action Green Route sign. Developed in partnership with researchers from the Lydia Becker Institute.

🚶‍♂️Spotted one of the Ardwick Climate Action Green Route signs today!

The route was developed by @ardwickclimate.bsky.social in partnership with Becker researchers to help the community avoid high-pollution areas, reducing the environmental triggers that drive inflammation and impact our health.

🧠 Our latest newsletter is out today!

☕ Read it here:

@dns-uom.bsky.social @ncaresearchnhs.bsky.social @uom-dcs.bsky.social

mailchi.mp/8f2fc944c32c...

British Society for Immunology MIG seminar, Dr Andreas Wack, Francis Crick Institute: “Macrophages and interferons in viral infections of the lung: Risks and benefits” Thursday 26th February 12 pm Michael Smith Lecture Theatre Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation

How do lung macrophages balance protection and pathology?

Dr Andreas Wack from @crick.ac.uk joins us to give a talk on the risks and benefits of interferons during viral infections.

@britsocimm.bsky.social MIG Seminar
📆 Thursday 26th Feb
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Michael Smith Lecture Theatre

#ImmunoSky

Campus looking pretty spring like this afternoon and evening at @manchester.ac.uk

Dr Erin Pallott, Science Communications Training Workshop, 19th February 2026, The University of Manchester, Lydia Becker Institute

Great energy at our Sci Comms Officer @erinpallott.bsky.social science communication & public engagement workshop this morning! 🎤🧠

The workshop helped researchers sharpen their storytelling, build confidence, and bring their science to any stage.
#ImmunoSky

Dr Erin Pallott, Science Communications Training Workshop, 19th February 2026, The University of Manchester, Lydia Becker Institute

Great energy at our Sci Comms Officer @erinpallott.bsky.social science communication & public engagement workshop this morning! 🎤🧠

The workshop helped researchers sharpen their storytelling, build confidence, and bring their science to any stage.
#ImmunoSky

Climbing Snowdon for brain tumour research On 26 May, Kandeel Batool, an Oncology Research Nurse at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, will be climbing Mount Snowdon to raise funds for brain tumour research.

On 26 May, Kandeel, an Oncology Research Nurse @ncaresearchnhs.bsky.social is climbing Snowdon to raise funds for our brain tumour research🧠

Please consider donating💙

#Glioblastoma #Research #Fundraising

Read more on our website: gjbrainresearch.org/2026/02/19/c...

British Society for Immunology MIG seminar, Dr William Hill, CRUK Manchester Institute: "Signals and Mechanisms of Lung Cancer Promotion by Air Pollutants” Thursday 19th February 12 pm Michael Smith Lecture Theatre Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation

This week, we're joined by @drwilliamhill.bsky.social from @cruk-mi.bsky.social for the next in our @britsocimm.bsky.social MIG Seminar series:

"Signals and Mechanisms of Lung Cancer Promotion by Air Pollutants”

📆 Thursday 19th Feb
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Michael Smith Lecture Theatre

#ImmunoSky

We're excited to share our latest publication on immune dysfunction in refractory MG! Huge shoutout to the brilliant clinical scientist @katycdodd.bsky.social - from patient recruitment across the country to experiments and data analysis, you did it all! Can't wait to see what you do next 🌟

Reposting as one week left for early bird registration and to get your abstract in!!

Research identifies a distinct immune signature in treatment-resistant Myasthenia Gravis Researchers identify a distinct immune signature in treatment-resistant Myasthenia Gravis. Learn how these findings could lead to more personalised patient care.

New research from @madhvimenon.bsky.social and @katycdodd.bsky.social identifies a distinct immune signature in treatment-resistant Myasthenia Gravis, offering a roadmap for more personalised, targeted therapies in the future. #ImmunoSky

sites.manchester.ac.uk/lydia-becker...

Marking #February11 by celebrating Professor Tracy Hussell, BSI President, and her Nature Mentoring Award for Lifetime Achievement.

A great recognition of her commitment to supporting early career researchers and strengthening the immunology community.

#WomenInScience #Immunology

Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science We are celebrating five brilliant women shaping the future of neuroscience and stroke research across our Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre community.

To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science, our colleagues at @gjbrainresearch.bsky.social are celebrating women shaping the future of neuroscience and stroke research - including Ivy Usansky, a final-year PhD student from our WT ICD PhD Programme.

gjbrainresearch.org/2026/02/10/c...

British Society for Immunology MIG seminar, Dr Johan Duchene, Ludwig- Maximilians-Universität: “The DARC Side of Neutrophils. How ACKR1 affects neutrophil biology in health and disease”. Thursday 12th February 12 pm Michael Smith Lecture Theatre Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation

Excited to be joined tomorrow by Dr Johan Duchene @johanduchene.bsky.social from @lmu.de for our next @britsocimm.bsky.social MIG Seminar:

“The DARC Side of Neutrophils. How ACKR1 affects neutrophil biology in health and disease”

📆 Thursday 12th Feb
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Michael Smith Lecture Theatre

The sneeze secret: how much should you worry about this explosive reflex? It is one of the most powerful involuntary actions the human body can perform. But is a big sneeze a sign of illness, pollution or something else entirely?

Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social offers insight in The Guardian @theguardian.com on the science behind sneezing and what it reveals about our health #ImmunoSky

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Lymphocyte alterations and elevated complement signaling are key features of refractory myasthenia gravis A significant proportion of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) remain refractory to standard immunosuppressive therapy, and biomarkers to help guide…

What are the immune system changes in refractory Myasthenia Gravis? Read our publication today in Med 🌟 @ncaresearchnhs.bsky.social @fbmh-uom.bsky.social @dns-uom.bsky.social @lydiabeckeriii.bsky.social @neuromuscularmanc.bsky.social @madhvimenon.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Very excited to announce that registration is open for the BSMB Spring 2026 meeting in Manchester, April 13-14th. Already an amazing lineup and lots of opportunities to speak!
Register, bsmb.ac.uk/meetings/ecm... @mcrcellmatrix.bsky.social

British Society for Immunology MIG seminar, Dr Alex Clarke, University of Oxford: “Powering the germinal centre reaction" Thursday 5th February 12 pm Michael Smith Lecture Theatre Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation

Dr Alexander Clarke @ajclarke.bsky.social joins us from
@ox.ac.uk tomorrow to give a talk entitled:

“Powering the germinal centre reaction"

📆 Thursday 5th Feb
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Michael Smith Lecture Theatre

@britsocimm.bsky.social MIG Seminar #ImmunoSky

Publication Roundup: January 2026 Explore the latest immunology and inflammation research from our institute. View a roundup of our publications for January 2026.

🔬 Our January publication roundup is now available. Explore the newest peer-reviewed research and scholarly contributions from Becker researchers. #ImmunoSky

sites.manchester.ac.uk/lydia-becker...