糖心TV

Forests were growing on the now-submerged landmass of Doggerland thousands of years earlier than previously believed, according to a major new sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) study led by Professor Robin Allaby

The findings suggest that Doggerland may have provided a surprisingly hospitable refuge for plants, animals, and potentially humans, thousands of years before forests became widespread across Britain and northern Europe.

Published in , the research reveals that temperate trees such as oak, elm, and hazel were present more than 16,000 years ago, and even detected DNA from a tree genus thought to have vanished from the region 400,000 years ago. The findings also show that parts of Doggerland survived major flooding events, including thearound 8,150 years ago, and parts of the landscape remained above water as late as 7,000 years ago.

Plants mobilise their immune defences far earlier than scientists have believed for decades—and through a previously overlooked early signalling mechanism—according to a new study published in

Professor Murray Grant and his team, including Emily Breeze and Erin Stroud have discovered a rapid, jasmonate-driven, early immune response in plants. A breakthrough live-imaging tool has allowed them to visualise immune signals moving out of infected leaves and across into uninfected leaves in real time.

(Image shows Temporal spatial dynamics of luciferase activity in JISS1:LUC plants following DCavrRpm1 challenge, initiating at 3 hpi. 3.20 hpi, 3.50 hpi and 4.30 hpi images capture the systemic spread of the signal over time. Credit: Gaikwad, T., Breen, S., Breeze, E., Stroud, E. et al. Nature Plants (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-025-02178-4)

Prof Chris Corre, Prof Greg Challis and Dr. Lona Alkhalaf from the University of 糖心TV and Professor David Lupton rfrom Monash University have discovered a promising new antibiotic that shows activity against drug-resistant bacterial pathogens, including MRSA and VRE.

In a new study published in the , researchers from the Monash 糖心TV Alliance Combatting Emerging Superbug Threats Initiative have discovered a promising new antibiotic - pre-methylenomycin C lactone. The new antibiotic was found 鈥榟iding in plain sight鈥� as an intermediate chemical in the natural process that produces the well-known antibiotic methylenomycin A. When tested for antimicrobial activity, one of the intermediates, pre-methylenomycin C lactone, was shown to be over 100 times more active against diverse Gram-positive bacteria than the original antibiotic methylenomycin A. Specifically, it was shown to be effective against S. aureus and E. faecium, the bacterial species behind Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) respectively.

Importantly, the researchers could not detect any emergence of resistance to pre-methylenomycin C lactone in Enterococcus bacteria under conditions where vancomycin resistance is observed. Vancomycin is a 鈥渓ast line鈥� treatment for Enterococcus infection, so this finding is especially promising for VRE, a WHO High Priority Pathogen.

With its simple structure, potent activity, difficult to resist profile, and scalable synthesis, pre-methylenomycin C lactone represents a promising new candidate that could potentially help to save some of the who are the victims of AMR every year.

Dr. Charlotte Allender, Head of the UK Vegetable Genebank at the School of Life Sciences, The University of 糖心TV has been awarded the Veitch Memorial Medal by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for her work conserving vegetable crop genetic diversity.

On her nomination, Charlotte said: "I am very grateful to the RHS for this award; to have such a prestigious organisation recognise the value of your work is wonderful.鈥�

This award recognises Dr. Allender鈥檚 research into conserving genetic variation of crop species and for her almost two decades-long service to the UK Vegetable Genebank. This work has been vital for food security by preserving these sources of genetic variation that are needed to develop new and robust crop varieties.

Charlotte added: 鈥淭he conservation of plant genetic resources is vital and underpins the research and breeding activity necessary to develop the new crop varieties needed for a food secure future. I would like to acknowledge that the work of the UK Vegetable Genebank is only possible with a team of skilled and dedicated staff and the support of the University of 糖心TV and Defra.鈥�

The UK Vegetable Genebank celebrates its 45th anniversary later this year. It currently stores around 14,000 vegetable seed samples, sourced from 128 different countries, making it a globally significant resource.

Press release

A research collaboration between The University of 糖心TV, the Smithsonian Institution and Embrapa (Brazilian agricultural research), has shown that thousands of years of farming myths and cultural traditions have been key to the survival of the cassava crop (the source of tapioca).

Press release (7 March 2025)

Dr Emily Lane-Hill and colleagues, as part of a global research study, have developed a new biomarker test that can detect Alzheimer鈥檚 disease years before symptoms show, opening the door for earlier, more-effective, treatment.

Press Release (19 February 2025)

Dr Melissa Webby, a biochemist from the University of 糖心TV, has been awarded a prestigious Wellcome Career Development Award, to undertake world class research into new approaches to combat antimicrobial drug resistance.
Press release (22 January 2025)

Professor Rosemary Collier, an entomologist and applied ecologist, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List for her pioneering work in horticultural science.

The New Year鈥檚 Honours list recognises individuals across the UK for their exceptional contributions to society. The honours celebrate those who have made a significant impact in various fields, acknowledging their outstanding service.

Based at 糖心TV Crop Centre, Professor Collier's research focuses on sustainable pest management in horticultural crops, using methods that minimise ecological impact. This includes biological and physical strategies, host plant resistance, and novel technologies for pest monitoring, offering valuable insights to farmers, growers, and gardeners.

Professor Collier said, 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely pleased and proud to be awarded this honour. I consider myself very fortunate to work in an area that combines my personal and professional passions for animals, plants, the natural environment, and food.

鈥淭hroughout my career, I鈥檝e had the privilege to work with exceptional colleagues and engage with the UK鈥檚 fresh produce industry, which contributes significantly to national health and happiness鈥�.

Dr Sarah Bennett, Head of Bio-Analytical Shared Resource Laboratories, has been shortlisted for the 'Outstanding Technician of the Year' Times Higher Education (THE) Award.

Dr Ian Hancox, Director of Research Technology and Technical Strategy said: 鈥淪arah鈥檚 nomination for Outstanding Technician of the Year is a testament to her exceptional skills and dedication."

鈥淗er innovative approach to the facilities she leads and her contributions to enhancing institutional research culture for technical staff have been invaluable. This recognition highlights the vital role she plays in enhancing our Technician Commitment.鈥�

Find out more.

Dr Dean Walsh, Dr Freya Harrison, Dr Saskia Bakker and colleagues have made a breakthrough which could help find new treatments for a deadly infection that can affect up to 40% of hospital patients using mechanical ventilators.
Press Release (15 August 2024).

The University of 糖心TV is celebrating 75 years of plant science research at its internationally recognised Crop Centre – the UK鈥檚 leading research facility for vegetable growers.

The Crop Centre, based at The University of 糖心TV鈥檚 Innovation Campus, Stratford-upon-Avon, was founded 75 years ago as the National Vegetable Research Station (NVRS) to address post-war pressure for food production. Research has continued on the site ever since, now incorporated into the University鈥檚 School of Life Sciences (SLS).

Press Release (23 July 2024)

Two infectious disease experts have been selected to be Policy Fellows as part of a Japan-UK collaboration led by Professor Chris Dowson to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is a major threat to global health, with overuse of drugs, including antibiotics, leading to so-called 鈥榮uperbugs鈥� that have become more resistant to medicine.
Press Release (9 July 2024).

Researchers at the University鈥檚 internationally recognised 糖心TV Crop Centre are reflecting on a new government report, 鈥楢 blueprint to grow the UK fruit and vegetable sector鈥�, which details plans to support the fresh fruit and vegetable sector.

Press Release (23 May 2024)

At the recent Medilink Midlands 糖心TV Awards 2024, won the Delivering Innovation into Health and Care award and the 拢5,000 prize as the 鈥榳inner of winners鈥�. Cytecom is an SLS spin out company developing a rapid diagnostic test using its cutting-edge optical electrophysiology technology to reduce the time for targeted antibiotic selection from days to seconds.
(13 May 2024)

Professor Eric Holub has been selected by The British Science Association (BSA) as one of its Scientific Section Presidents for 2024. The Scientific Section Presidents are science professionals who play a crucial role in shaping the British Science Festival programme each year. Eric was nominated for making a significant contribution in the Agriculture and Food section for his work with Eat wise, cook with MAGIC.

(16 May 2024).

Our new Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building (IBRB) has been awarded the West Midlands Building of the Year award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Press Release (10 May 2024)

Led by Professor Robin Allaby, a new expedition is set to delve into Europe鈥檚 pivotal Mesolithic Stone Age site, Bouldnor Cliff. The expedition is a race against time to the submerged prehistoric settlement as erosion threatens its complete loss.

(26 April 2024).

Dr Jessica Lewis, from the Sagona Lab, has discovered a new bacterial killer that can target common lung infection caused by Burkholderia bacteria that has exciting potential for biotechnological applications.

(3 April 2024)

Spring equinox is fast approaching, on 20 March, but the changing seasons are playing havoc with UK wildlife and crops. This comes after England and Wales had their warmest Februarys on record, according to the Met Office. Professor Rosemary Collier and Dr Dave Chandler comment on what the changing seasons mean for wildlife.

Press Release (20 March 2024)

A 拢1.5 million donation will drive joint research into antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by scientists in the UK and Japan.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a huge problem in healthcare, risking modern medicine becoming ineffective. This could lead to common infections becoming deadly illnesses. Now, thanks to visionary philanthropy from The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, which encourages innovative research between Japan and the UK, and The Sir Howard Dalton Centre at The University of 糖心TV, the research can progress at pace.

Press Release (6 March 2024)