Faculty of Biological Sciences

New guidelines endorse exercise as key therapy for asthma An international task force, led by Dr Oliver Price, has issued recommendations urging healthcare providers to prescribe personalised exercise alongside conventional therapies to optimise asthma care.

🏃‍♀️Exercise isn't just safe for people with asthma - it’s key to managing it, argues international taskforce.

Chaired by the Faculty's Dr Oliver Price, the taskforce makes the case for physical activity as a safe and effective therapeutic strategy. bit.ly/44YewyC

#exercisecsience #asthmaresearch

Regenerative agriculture trials at the University of Leeds farm.

Dr Ruth Wade has contributed to a UK Parliament POSTnote on regenerative agriculture.

Ruth was invited to contribute to a UK Parliament POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology) expert session informing the latest POSTnote on regenerative agriculture.

👇

Strengthening biotech research links in India A recent visit to India has helped the University build new global partnerships in biological sciences, including an important collaboration with the country’s Regional Centre for Biotechnology.

🌏The @universityofleeds.bsky.social has signed a new agreement to deepen ties with India's Regional Centre for Biotechnology, boosting our global biotech research and enabling exciting collaborations between the two countries.

Read about the agreement: bit.ly/407C0jw

The Betta burdigala project – saving a species Bettas of Bangka Island are small fishes who can breathe atmospheric oxygen and construct nests out of air bubbles and saliva to protect their eggs and young.

“What if I told you there are fish in the forest, beneath the leaves?” @josiesouth.bsky.social, Lecturer in Aquatic Ecology

🎞️ Have you watched the impactful film yet? Find out how research is helping to protect a critically endangered fish species bit.ly/4kktTYa

Four people standing and conversing in front of two scientific posters at an academic event.

How can magnetism help us understand biology and tackle global health challenges?

Join the MagInBio Summer Conference - a free 2-day hybrid event at Nexus Leeds exploring magnetic biomaterials, imaging and biomedical devices.

Register here: www.eventbrite.com/cc/maginbio-summer-conference-4171753

Two weights, an exercise block and towel lie on a pink exercise mat.

It’s never too late to start lifting weights! 💪

Strength training helps retain muscle mass, manage cholesterol levels, and burn calories for 30–60 minutes after you’ve stopped exercising, according to Prof. Karen Birch, Executive Dean:

inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...

Excited to report our latest research on new “molecular glues” that specifically lock the BRCC36 isopeptidase complex (BRISC) in an autoinhibited state and reduce interferon signalling. This first-of-its-kind approach could reshape how we target large deubiquitylase (DUB) complexes.

rdcu.be/edRwF

YouTube video by Phospho Biomedical Animation Molecular Glues: drugging the undruggable

But what are molecular glues and how they do work?

Discover more 👇

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuFV...

2 individual BRISC complexes stick together.

Some health conditions are difficult to treat—but molecular glues could change that.

A new molecular glue from @universityofleeds.bsky.social, @wistar.org & @pennmedicine.bsky.social could help reduce inflammation in Scleroderma patients.

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

Spent a really interesting morning with Ruth Wade and our @bioscienceleeds.bsky.social MSc students examing differences between soil farmed conventionally and using #RegenAg. Some really obvious changes after 2y under herbal ley.

🕺Feeling sooo Excited🕺
Huge thanks to @josiesouth.bsky.social from @universityofleeds.bsky.social for the crayfish 🦞traps thru the @horizonsinstitute.bsky.social Horizons Seed Funding. These will be instrumental in our #crayfishhunt mission in Southern Africa.

The international collaboration, backed by @who.int, will help make polio vaccines universally accessible, ensuring that all children are protected, no matter where they live.

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

@biology.ox.ac.uk @johninnescentre.bsky.social @pirbrightinst.bsky.social

TEM virus_Multiple white circles on a grey background

A safer, more affordable polio vaccine is on the horizon! 🚨

Scientists are using virus-like particles (VLPs)—particles which mimic the outer protein shell of poliovirus, but are empty inside. This reduces the risk of infection:

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

Fears of ‘devastating' environmental damage after ships collide in North Sea | The National English coastline near incident is home to many protected wildlife species

"Oil pollution can increase cancer rates in wildlife and lead to a decline in the long-term health of marine life exposed to the oil spill."

Dr Ciara Baines provides environmental insights in @thenationalnews.com after ships collide in North Sea:

www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025...

Did you know parasites play crucial roles in evolution and ecosystems?

These organisms help environments stay resilient during droughts, and even aid in transferring nutrients 💧🔄

Read more from scientists in the School of Biology & @zslofficial.bsky.social @uk.theconversation.com

#parasites

A square block of ice rests on a finger.

Scientists in the School of Biomedical Sciences have developed a new way to find molecules that sense cold ❄️

The technique is now being used as part of a new project which is aimed at developing alternative treatments for treating chronic pain.

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

Professor Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso

Jennie Hibbard

Dr. Emma Wroblewski

We're proud owners of the Athena Swan Silver Award! 👏

Hear from some of the people who have benefited from our initiatives aimed at transforming gender equality within higher education and research on our website:👇

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

A fantastic initiative developed by Leeds City Council, @lthtresearchcomms.bsky.social, @leedshcp.bsky.social & West Yorkshire NHS ICB, to enhance maternity care across Leeds.

Research by @camillanykjaer.bsky.social and @jrabbee.bsky.social is evaluating user experiences to inform future delivery 👇

More information? Content will be posted on Hannah's page weekly. Women's health by Hannah Campbell

(3/3) Join the conversation with @hancampbell.bsky.social on LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-ca...

How to help close the Gap? Menstrual health Breast health and injury Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Pregnancy and Postpartum Musculoskeletal injury Concussion Low energy availability Women's health by Hannah Campbell

(2/3) This #IWD, Dr Hannah Campbell, Researcher in the School of Biomedical Sciences, is breaking down key topics to help create a healthier future for women in sport and exercise. These include:

-menstrual health & exercise
-pregnancy and postpartum training
-and much more!

The Female Health Gap in Sport and Exercise Women's Health by Hannah Campbell

(1/3) #DYK women spend 25% more time in poor health compared to men?

Many of these challenges can be addressed through increased participation in physical activity—yet women face higher dropout rates, more injuries, and less enjoyment in sport and exercise 🏃‍♀️

Lines of red, green, and purple on a black background show human Fragile X neurons and control neurons.

Dr. @krzischlab.bsky.social is leading research to support families with Fragile X Syndrome - a rare genetic condition.

Her lab focuses on using stem cells derived from patients to model the disorder.

Learn more about Fragile X:

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

A large hippo yawns.

PhD researcher @helacy.bsky.social has developed a database of African hippo populations which has revealed huge gaps in our knowledge of where the megaherbivores live and thrive 🦛

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

Dr Josie South holds a bag of juvenile Betta burdigala fish prior to release and smiles at the camera.

"This initiative is doing more than protecting a single species—it’s preserving an entire ecosystem." - Dr. Josie South

Read how @josiesouth.bsky.social has joined forces with collaborators in Indonesia to safeguard the Betta burdigala 🐟

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

A vaccine is administered to a patient in their arm.

Prof. Nic Stonehouse is leading a study which could help reduce new vaccine production time to less than 100 days 🧪

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

A large group of women smile at the camera.

To mark Women's History Month, and ahead of #IWD tomorrow, today we’re shining a light on some of our women scientists, as well as our faculty initiatives which support gender equality 👏

Thread 🧵👇

Policy Leeds March signpost An analysis of the Climate Change Committee’s 7th carbon budget, reports look at migrant women entrepreneurs and Y-PERN’s 2nd year, Leeds…

Discover the latest in our March signpost.

This month's we spotlight:
- An analysis of the Climate Change Committee’s 7th carbon budget,
- Reports on migrant women entrepreneurs and Y-PERN’s 2nd year,
- Leeds research in Parliament horizon scans,
- Events & more.

👉 medium.com/policy-leeds...

YouTube video by MyFirst1000Days My First 1000 Days: Short Summary

The study is part of a wider programme 'My First 1000 Days' which is aimed at giving children in Leeds the best possible start in life.

Dr Camilla Nykjaer in the School of Biomedical Sciences leads the physical activity strand of the programme.

Discover more 👇

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1iX...

A baby holds tightly onto an adult's little finger.

Parents and caregivers in Leeds can receive free support in the crucial first 1000 days of their newborns’ lives as part of a study led by @universityofleeds.bsky.social

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

New tools support LGBTQ+ inclusive fieldwork A guide to planning safe, inclusive and equitable fieldwork for LGBTQ+ people has been launched by a research team.

Fieldwork is not always safe, inclusive or equitable for LGBTQ+ people – but they are not alone.

Researchers in the Faculty of Environment have created a toolkit to support fieldworkers to make sure they plan with and for LGBTQ+ colleagues.

environment.leeds.ac.uk/news/article...