Tua Karling won the 2026 Genetics Society of America Drosophila Image Award
Dr Tua Karling, a previous PhD student in Dr Helen Weaver’s group, has won this year's Drosophila Image Award, a prestigious international image competition.
News
New breakthrough shows promise for protecting people against kidney damage in type 1 diabetes
A new gene therapy approach aimed at protecting people with type 1 diabetes from developing diabetic kidney disease — a serious and common complication of the condition, has shown promising results in a University of Bristol study.
Stable blood pressure does not free everyone of cardiovascular risk, new study finds
Researchers studying how hypertension increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes have discovered a remarkable way in which the body adapts to hypertension by developing a set of “new senses”.
New evidence static electricity sense could be a factor in evolution of extreme body shapes of treehoppers
Could detecting static electricity be a factor in explaining why treehopper insects have evolved such bizarre body shapes?
Rainforest researchers find tropical butterflies that look alike, see alike
Butterflies that independently evolved the same wing patterns have also evolved similar eyes and brains which are fine-tuned for vision in the shifting light of tropical rainforests, according to new research led by the University of Bristol published in PNAS this week.
Top science journal names research paper on how caterpillars detect predators among best of the year
The renowned academic scientific journal PNAS has named a University of Bristol research paper providing insight into a fascinating method used by caterpillars to detect predators as one of the best it published in 2024.
Age and gender impacts effectiveness of new gene therapy treatments for eye diseases, new study finds
Older women could be vulnerable to harmful inflammation from new gene therapies to treat incurable eye diseases, new research has found. The University of Bristol-led study, published in Molecular Therapy, reveal how age and gender affects inflammation caused by gene therapy treatments and could cause damage to the eye. The findings could help improve the therapy’s effectiveness for eye conditions and highlights the need for personalised treatment to reduce risk and ensure a better outcome for all patients.
Bristol researcher awarded Women in Cell Biology Early Career Medal 2025
Dr Helen Weavers, Associate Professor in Cell and Developmental Biology in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, has been awarded the Women in Cell Biology (WCIB) Early Career Medal 2025 by the British Society for Cell Biology (BSCB).
Butterfly brains reveal the tweaks required for cognitive innovation
A species of tropical butterfly with unusually expanded brain structures display a fascinating mosaic pattern of neural expansion linked to a cognitive innovation.
Study identifies key molecular step in mitochondrial division
A key molecular step required for the division of damaged mitochondria - essential for cell health - has been identified by a University of Bristol-led study. The finding has the potential to establish how mitochondrial dysfunction goes wrong in common neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Boosting key protein in eye cells could prevent age-related vision loss, finds international team
Increasing the levels of a key protein in the cells at the back of the eye could help protect against the leading cause of vision loss among older adults, finds a new discovery made by researchers from the UK, US, Germany and Australia. The University of Bristol-led findings are published today [5 June] in Science Translational Medicine and featured on the front cover.
Study highlights potential new approach for early intervention for diabetic patients at risk of kidney disease
Researchers at the University of Bristol have uncovered a mechanism by which a hormone can protect the blood vessels in the kidneys from the damage caused by diabetes. In doing so, the team has identified a potential early treatment strategy to prevent or slow progression of kidney disease in people with diabetes. The study, part-funded by Kidney Research UK, is published in Diabetes.
Cell biologist whose work spans over 30 years receives RMS Scientific Achievement Award
David Stephens, Emeritus Professor of Cell Biology in the School of Biochemistry, has been awarded the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) Scientific Achievement Award for his work on cell biology.
Scientists reveal why blueberries are blue
Tiny external structures in the wax coating of blueberries give them their blue colour, researchers at the University of Bristol can reveal.
Mystery of moths’ warning sound production explained in new study
The workings of the ultrasonic warning sounds produced by the wings of a species of moth have been revealed by researchers at the University of Bristol.
New drug could prevent diabetic eye and kidney disease in people with diabetes
New research has shown a new type of inhibitor drug could prevent microvascular diabetic complications, such as diabetic eye and kidney disease. The University of Bristol-led research is published in Cardiovascular Diabetology.
Carnivorous plant traps help scientists explain the evolution of complex ‘composite’ traits
A scientific study of pitcher plants species that use the same complex ‘springboard’ mechanism for insect capture has revealed an explanation for how complex traits requiring multiple components may evolve.
New research demonstrates the ability of ADDomer™ to tackle viral infections
New research has demonstrated the potential for the ADDomer ™ platform to produce thermostable vaccines and reagents to tackle viral infections The study led by the University of Bristol and Imophoron, a biopharmaceutical company developing thermostable nanoparticle vaccines using its ADDomer platform, is published in Antibody Therapeutics today [29 November].
Breakthrough in treatment for world’s leading cause of kidney failure in children
A potential treatment for the world’s leading cause of kidney failure in children needing dialysis has been discovered by an international team of scientists. The University of Bristol-led breakthrough is published today [19 October] in Med.
Gene therapy hope for children with kidney disease
Researchers at the University of Bristol have made a remarkable step forward in finding a potential cure for a type of childhood kidney disease.
Pioneering study signals new era of environment-friendly programmable bioelectronics
Researchers have created a unique microscopic toolkit of ‘green’ tuneable electrical components, paving the way for a new generation of bioelectronic devices and sensors.
Butterfly species’ big brains adapted giving them a survival edge, study finds
Heliconius butterflies’ brains grew as they adopted a novel foraging behaviour, scientists at the University of Bristol have found.
Artificial intelligence provides new insight into preventing human disease
A molecular machine, which plays an essential ‘cargo’ role in controlling the delivery of proteins to the surface of human cells, and is implicated in several diseases, has been identified in a landmark study using artificial intelligence (AI). The research, led by an international team of scientists, is published today [11 May] in Cell.
New way to reduce progression of diabetic kidney disease discovered
A new way to reduce progression of diabetic kidney disease, affecting 40% of people with diabetes, has been discovered by scientists. The University of Bristol-led study published today [7 February] in JCI Insight, could help the 4.8 million people in the UK with diabetes who are four times more likely to need either dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Anti-aging gene shown to rewind heart age by 10 years
An anti-aging gene discovered in a population of centenarians has been shown to rewind the heart's biological age by 10 years. The breakthrough, published in Cardiovascular Research and led by scientists at the University of Bristol and the MultiMedica Group in Italy, offers a potential target for patients with heart failure.
Bristol develops photosynthetic proteins for more sustainable solar-powered devices
A team of scientists, led by the University of Bristol, has developed a new photosynthetic protein system enabling an enhanced and more sustainable approach to solar-powered technological devices.
Shape shifting protocells hint at the mechanics of early life
Inspired by the processes of cellular differentiation observed in developmental biology, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Bristol have demonstrated a new spontaneous approach to building communities of cell-like entities (protocells) using chemical gradients.