School of Biological Sciences

📣 We are thrilled to share that researchers in the School of Biological Sciences have received major funding from Wellcome to drive breakthroughs across three key areas: Women's Biology, Mental Health, and Climate Science!

Read the full article: www.bio.cam.ac.uk/news/major-f...

2025 summer students in Cambridge

🔬 Experience Research Life at Cambridge!

Applications are now open for the 2026 Experience Postgrad Life Sciences Programme. Gain hands-on lab experience with an 8-week summer placement, in partnership with @corpuscambridge.bsky.social!

🔗 www.exppg.lifesci.cam.ac.uk

#SummerPlacement #Cambridge

Growing More With Less | Crop Science Centre The world is changing rapidly. Across Africa and Asia, smallholder farmers stand at the frontline of a global challenge: feeding growing populations in the face of climate stress, soil degradation, and dwindling natural resources. How can we grow more food — with less land, less water, and fewer emissions - while ensuring every community has enough to eat? At the University of Cambridge, a team of scientists, partners, and innovators are working together to answer that question. The Crop Science Centre is a global hub where science meets society to create a fairer, more sustainable future for farming. Its mission is to make global food production more equitable, sustainable, and resilient. They are driven by the belief that innovation must serve everyone — not just those who can afford it. https://www.cropsciencecentre.org/

New film premiered at #COP30 today shows how @cam.ac.uk Crop Science Centre's global partnerships are empowering farmers for future food security.

📽️ tinyurl.com/5ac6ymmd

👉 tinyurl.com/mr2ke37s

@cgiar.org @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social @paszkowskilab.bsky.social @stjohnscollege.bsky.social

🌟 Ready to take the next step in your career?

Applications are open for the Cambridge Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme! 🔬

➡️ Fully funded opportunities: supported by the BBSRC

Learn more and apply now: bbsrcdtp.lifesci.cam.ac.uk/how-apply

#Postgraduate #Cambridge #PhD

School researchers awarded major collaborative funding from the Four leading scientists in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, working with colleagues in other European institutions, have been awarded Synergy Grants from the European

Congratulations to our 4 researchers awarded European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grants!

These collaborative awards will support ambitious interdisciplinary projects in innovative areas of the biological sciences.

Read more about the projects: www.bio.cam.ac.uk/news/school-...

#ERCSyG

📢 Applications for the 2026 Cambridge Amgen Scholars Programme are now open!

• Open to undergraduate students – UK & Europe
• Fully paid 8-week lab-based placements
• All scholars housed in college accommodation

Eligibility & how to apply: amgenscholars.bio.cam.ac.uk

#Cambridge #AmgenScholars

Dark blue graphic with white Functional and Evolutionary Genomics logo (DNA inside a cog wheel). Profile photos of Theme Leads Alex Almeida, Kate S. Baker, and John Welch. Quote from Dr John Welch reads: "Cambridge is full of great researchers working on different parts of complex problems. A real benefit of the Research Themes is bringing these researchers together, showing how apparently different research programmes can illuminate and energise one another."

Our final leadership team to reintroduce are the brilliant leads of the Functional and Evolutionary Genomics Theme. New lead John shares his thoughts on research across the School. Learn more on our website: www.bio.cam.ac.uk @camvetschool.bsky.social @geneticscam.bsky.social #BiologicalSciences

Sir John Gurdon, 1933-2025 | Wellcome A Nobel-winning scientist of great modesty and humour, John Gurdon died on 7 October. He made a discovery that opened up the field of cloning research, and created one of the best environments for res...

A Nobel-winning scientist of great modesty and humour, John Gurdon died on 7 Oct. Not only did he make a discovery that laid the foundations for stem cell research, he also created one of the best environments for research at the Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute wellcome.org/news/sir-joh...

Graphic with image of scientist at microscope and text: Applications open for 2026 start.

📢 Want to join a community driving scientific, medical and technological innovation?

Applications are now open for our MPhil in Therapeutic Sciences!

🔗 Find out more and apply: www.ats.cam.ac.uk/mphil-therap...

#TherapeuticSciences #MPhil #Cambridge #Masters

Teal graphic with white Reproduction, Development and Lifelong Health logo (three people behind health cross). Headshots of Theme Leads Sumru Bayin, Alex Cagan, Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, Mekayla Storer. Quote from Dr Sumru Bayin says: 'As Theme Leads, we look forward to enabling new connections that inspire transformative interdisciplinary research. Building on my experience with the Complex Tissue Regeneration Grand Challenge, I aim to uncover new synergies and unlock new opportunities across the School of Biological Sciences.'

Meet our Reproduction, Development and Lifelong Health Theme Leads. New Lead Sumru shares her hopes for the Theme. Learn more on our website: www.bio.cam.ac.uk

@gurdoninstitute.bsky.social @geneticscam.bsky.social @pdncambridge.bsky.social @scicambridge.bsky.social

Orange graphic with white Infection and Immunity logo (shield containing a cross, next to virus). Headshots of Theme Leads Cinzia Cantacessi, Brian Ferguson, Nerea Irigoyen, Jeanne Salje and Lucy Weinert. Quote from Dr Nerea Irigoyen reads 'As Infection and Immunity Research Theme Leads, we aim to unite diverse scientists to enable pioneering breakthroughs in disease biology and global health. An area of focus is Changing Pathogens in a Changing World, through which our interdisciplinary research will transform understanding, drive therapeutic innovation, and safeguard human and animal health for future generations.'

Say hello to our wonderful Infection and Immunity Research Theme Leads! New Lead Nerea shares some thoughts on the plans for the Theme moving forward. #BiologicalSciences
@cambiochem.bsky.social @camvetschool.bsky.social @campathology.bsky.social

Green graphic with white Organisms Evolution and Planetary Resilience logo (a plant, a finch, and a cell, all in hexagons). Headshots of Theme Leads Adrian Baez-Ortega, Sebastian Eves-van den Akker, Christine Miller. Quote from Professor Christine Miller reads 'As Theme leads we are eager to foster collaborations across traditional Departmental boundaries to strengthen research in Organisms, Evolution and Planetary Resilience, and to build a research culture that is inclusive and supportive.'

We're reintroducing the leadership team for our Organisms, Evolution and Planetary Resilience Research Theme. New lead Christine reflects on their goals for the Themes
@camplantsci.bsky.social @camzoology.bsky.social #BiologicalSciences

Unlock your potential with a Master's at the University of Cambridge! 🔬 Our MPhil in Biological Sciences offers a unique opportunity for cutting-edge, lab-based research at a world-leading institution.

Explore and apply: www.mphil.bio.cam.ac.uk

#Cambridge #BiologicalSciences #Postgraduate

Purple graphic with Neuroscience, Psychology and Beavhiour logo (profile of a head containg purple neurons). Headshots of Theme Leads Riccardo Beltramo, David Bulmer, Lucy Cheke, Hannah Clarke and Iris Hardege. Quote from Lucy Cheke: Cambridge produces world leading research addressing some of the most fundamental questions of modern science - but it also a large institution where individual researchers can find themselves looking for collaborations. The Themes are an amazing way to bring together people working on complementary topics to create value, discoveries and impact beyond what each of us can achieve alone - and they do so through friendly, fun and social interaction.

Today meet the leadership team for our Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour Research Theme! New lead Lucy tells us her thoughts on the Research Themes - find out more bio.cam.ac.uk #BiologicalSciences
@phar.cam.ac.uk @pdncambridge.bsky.social @campsydept.bsky.social @camzoology.bsky.social

Postgraduate Cambridge University Scholarship | Gates Cambridge A fully funded graduate education for future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.

If you are from the US and interested in applying for a PhD with me (or anyone else @camzoology.bsky.social @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social), your deadline for the gates scholarship is October 15!
(You’ll need to write a research proposal, so contact PIs now) www.gatescambridge.org/programme/th...

Our 2025 Experience Postgrad Life Sciences cohort wrapped up the programme with brilliant presentations at our final symposium, followed by a celebratory dinner at Corpus Christi College.

Thank you to our partner @corpuscambridge.bsky.social, the @BBSRC, and all our programme supporters!

Red graphic with molecules and cells logo (DNA and hexagonal molecule). Headshots of Theme Leads Maria Alcolea, Kathryn Lilley, Marc de la Roche, James Thaventhiran. Quote from Marc de la Roche: The Theme activities offer an excellent platform for cultivating interdisciplinary collaborations essential for tackling complex and important research questions. These collaborations foster innovative new approaches to longstanding problems and support the acquisition of funding for high-impact research programmes and training opportunities for the next generation of researchers.

We’re excited to re-introduce the academic leads for our Molecules and Cells Research Theme! Hear from new Theme Lead Marc about what the Research Themes mean to him.

Find out more bio.cam.ac.uk 
#BiologicalSciences @scicambridge.bsky.social @cambiochem.bsky.social @mrc-tu.bsky.social

The Scholars from all 5 European Amgen Programmes attended their end-of-programme symposium last week, hosted in Clare College, Cambridge.

This international event included scholar posters, academia and industry speakers, workshops, networking, and – of course – punting!

#AmgenScholars #Symposium

Building and rebuilding complex tissues: strategic visions from a research-led workshop ABSTRACT. How complex tissues develop and regenerate post-injury is one of the most fascinating and important processes in biology. Recent technical advances that enable the generation of a quantitati...

New article out now!

Our researchers @sumrubayin.bsky.social, @bensteventon.bsky.social, and @storerlab.bsky.social share key takeaways from a workshop on complex tissue regeneration, highlighting the need for more collaboration and interdisciplinary work.

➡️ journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...

BBC Radio 4 - Curious Cases, Series 23, Memory Swap Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain probe the science of memory.

🎙️Lunch-break podcast idea!
Catch Dr Amy Milton on #BBC #Radio4 very own The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry—exploring all things memory from consolidation to implanted memories 🧠✨

🎧Listen now: bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
#Psychology #Neuroscience #Memory #BBCSounds @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social

Group of students, smiling, stood in front of the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford

Amgen scholars, smiling, sat round table eating lunch.

Our Amgen Scholars are over halfway through their summer programme doing lab projects at Cambridge. Outside of the lab, the group have also been enjoying a social programme including meeting with Programme alumni, and a day trip to Oxford.

With the news of cuts to mRNA vaccine development in the US, Unit Director Anne Willis joined Marnie Chesterton yesterday to discuss the evidence behind vaccines.

Listen to the BBC inside science episode here: buff.ly/deJ4NZf

Building and rebuilding complex tissues: strategic visions from a research-led workshop ABSTRACT. How complex tissues develop and regenerate post-injury is one of the most fascinating and important processes in biology. Recent technical advances that enable the generation of a quantitati...

Excited to share our reflections on our workshop last summer @bensteventon.bsky.social @storerlab.bsky.social
We are grateful to all the attendees & @isrbio.bsky.social @bsdb.bsky.social @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social for their support.

journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...

We are delighted to welcome summer students to the Experience Postgrad Life Sciences programme!

The group met the 2025 interns from various university summer programmes at an event hosted by Corpus Christi College.

Read more about the programme: www.cam.ac.uk/stories/expe...

📣 Calling all researchers interested in the gut-immune-brain axis!

Join us for the UK GIBA Network+ launch event 👇

Putting women’s health in the spotlight Cambridge researchers are working to undo a longstanding male bias in health research, to help drive more effective healthcare for all.

Understanding women’s biology is key to improving lifelong health and supporting the health of future generations. Our scientists are working across disciplines to drive crucial advancements in women’s health.

Find out more about our research: www.cam.ac.uk/stories/putt...

Putting women’s health in the spotlight Cambridge researchers are working to undo a longstanding male bias in health research, to help drive more effective healthcare for all.

Why is a woman 50% more likely than a man to get the wrong initial diagnosis for a heart attack?

For centuries, women were excluded from health research – fluctuating #hormones believed to complicate results.

@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social researchers are working to drive change 👉 bit.ly/44rtQ6J

Putting women’s health in the spotlight Cambridge researchers are working to undo a longstanding male bias in health research, to help drive more effective healthcare for all.

I'm proud that @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social is leading the way in advancing our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of women's biology, which is essential to improving lifelong health and supporting intergenerational health outcomes

Professor Julian Hibberd in the Department of Plant Science library. Photo by Andrew Benton.

Congratulations to Professor Julian Hibberd on his election to the @embo.org announced today!

tinyurl.com/4b3mnsru

@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk @jmhibberd.bsky.social 🧪#PlantSci

Incredible images created by our scientists using advanced microscopes are helping to drive biological discovery 🔬

Read more about our Microscopy Bioscience Platform⬇️
www.cam.ac.uk/stories/camb...

@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social
📸 @alexneaverson.bsky.social
📸 @dillansaunders.bsky.social