Skip to main content

Dr Laura Green
Dr Laura Green recognised for outstanding work in blood transfusion

from the Centre for Trauma Sciences at the Blizard Institute has been nominated for the Kenneth Goldsmith Award 2024 by the British Blood Transfusion Society (BBTS) in recognition of her outstanding contribution transfusion research and practices.

Date added: Tuesday, March 26, 2024


Blizard Institute laboratories
Nutrient-based alternative to weight-loss drugs enters next stage of testing

The novel pill is drug-free and more affordable that existing products.

Date added: Friday, March 15, 2024


Professor Abhi Banerjee
Adaptive Decisions Lab joins Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma

Professor Abhi Banerjee and his Lab have joined the Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma at the Blizard Institute. Abhi is PI of the Adaptive Decisions Lab and a Professor of Neuroscience. His lab is currently working on the flexibility of learning, decision-making and its dysfunctions in neurological disorders.

Date added: Friday, March 8, 2024


Human Cancer Cell
Queen Mary research team heads discovery of a new method to stop the growth of cancer cells

Research led by Professor Cleo Bishop from Queen Mary's Blizard Institute has found a way to put certain types of cancer cell to 'sleep', making them vulnerable to drug treatments.

Date added: Friday, March 1, 2024


VP Health Professor Sir Mark Caulfield presenting the FMD Staff Awards
Blizard colleagues' success at FMD Staff Awards 2024

Congratulations to Dr Marie Spreckley, Carlos De Oliveira, Khalid Rouas and Professor Chloe Orkin, who all received awards at this year’s FMD Staff Awards

Date added: Friday, March 1, 2024


Professor Francesco Dell’Accio and Dr Suzanne E. Eldridge
ReGen group joins Barts Bone & Joint Health

This week, the ReGen group led by Professor Francesco Dell’Accio joins Barts Bone & Joint Health, and have moved their labs to the Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma in the Blizard Institute. They remain part of the William Harvey Research Institute, and will continue their work on developing pharmacological interventions to restore cartilage integrity and to reduce pain in osteoarthritis and other cartilage defects.

Date added: Friday, February 23, 2024


(L-R) Ros Muller, Jamie Roberts, Michele Branscombe, Claire Cox
Blizard colleagues recognised at Queen Mary's Staff Apprenticeship Awards

Jamie Roberts, Teaching Laboratory Technician, won a 2024 Staff Apprentice Recognition Award, while his mentor, Claire Cox, Principal Laboratory Manager, was selected as ‘highly commended’ in the ‘Mentor Recognition’ category.

Date added: Friday, February 9, 2024


Dr Cara Croft at the Blizard Institute
Dr Cara Croft features in Telegraph article highlighting her dementia research

Dr Croft, a senior lecturer in neuroscience, explains how she is trying to make a difference by finding a way to prevent the disease.

Date added: Wednesday, January 17, 2024


First-prize talk winner, Adrian Rodriguez (right) and second-prize talk winner, Abubkr Ahmed (left)
PhD students showcase projects at Graduate Studies Day

The Blizard Institute held its annual Graduate Studies Day on Monday 11 December.

Date added: Friday, December 22, 2023


Athena Swan Gold logo
Queen Mary’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry receives Athena Swan Gold Award

Queen Mary University of London’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (FMD) has received an Athena Gold Swan Award, recognising its significant progression and achievements in gender equality in medicine. The FMD is one of seven faculties in the UK to receive a Gold Award.

Date added: Friday, December 15, 2023


Professor Edel O'Toole receiving the Moxon Medal. (L-R): Dr Sarah Clarke, President, RCP; Professor Edel O’Toole; Dr Tanya Bleiker, BAD
Professor Edel O’Toole awarded triennial Moxon Medal by Royal College of Physicians

Professor O'Toole is the first woman to receive the medal since it's inception in 1891.

Date added: Tuesday, November 28, 2023


Vitamin D supplements do not prevent bone fractures in children

A major clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that vitamin D supplements do not increase bone strength or prevent bone fractures in children with vitamin D deficiency. 

Date added: Tuesday, December 5, 2023


Katie Sheehan staff photo
Bone & Joint Health welcomes first physiotherapist awarded UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship

The Barts Bone & Joint Health group are delighted to announce that , our very first Professor of Rehabilitation, will be joining Queen Mary on Wednesday 1 November.

Date added: Friday, October 27, 2023


Professor John Connelly in the lab
Blog: Understanding EBS skin and ways to strengthen it

This blog article first appeared on the DEBRA UK website. DEBRA is a national charity and patient support organisation for people living with the rare, extremely painful, genetic skin blistering condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) also known as ‘Butterfly Skin’. To view the original article, please visit the DEBRA blog page. 

Date added: Wednesday, October 25, 2023


Aerial view of the Blizard Institute open-plan labs
Blizard laboratories achieve Bronze for sustainability

LEAF is a standard set up by University College London (UCL) to improve the sustainability and efficiency of laboratories.

Date added: Tuesday, October 3, 2023


Surgeons operating in theatre
Not all major trauma patients benefit from receiving additional blood-clotting factors when treating blood loss

Major blood loss is experienced by many severely injured patients, and it contributes to the death of more than half of the 4.4 million people who die from trauma every year across the world. It is the most common preventable cause of death in the trauma population.

Date added: Friday, October 13, 2023


In2ScienceUK Summer Programme infuses Year 12s with enthusiasm for careers in STEM

During the week of 7 August, Dr Tania Maffucci and her team led Year 12s in a fantastic summer course to give them a valuable insight and practical taster of what working in a STEM career could be like.

Date added: Wednesday, August 23, 2023


Adrian Biddle in the lab
Dr Adrian Biddle recognised at Animal Free Research UK Pioneer and Spotlight Awards

Dr Adrian Biddle has been awarded the inaugural Outstanding Scientist 2023 at the awards which celebrate the next generation of future animal free researchers and innovators in science and medicine.

Date added: Tuesday, August 29, 2023


A man coughing
Scientists discover ‘long colds’ may exist, as well as long Covid

A new study from Queen Mary University of London, published in The Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine, has found that people may experience long-term symptoms —or ‘long colds’—after acute respiratory infections that test negative for COVID-19.

Date added: Friday, October 6, 2023


Cancer cells. Credit: istock.com/vitanovski
New genes and natural toxins offer hope for cancer patients unresponsive to chemotherapy

Scientists from Queen Mary University of London have discovered two new genes that cause head and neck cancer patients to be resistant to chemotherapy, and that silencing either gene can make cancer cells previously unresponsive to chemotherapy subsequently respond to it.

Date added: Monday, September 4, 2023


Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox virus particles (gold) cultivated and purified from cell culture. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID
New study shows effectiveness of mpox vaccine

A new international study led by Queen Mary University of London has shown mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) infections to be less severe among those who are vaccinated or had a previous infection in 2022, underlining the importance and effectiveness of vaccination.

Date added: Tuesday, September 5, 2023


Thromboprophylaxis in Lower limb Immobilisation (TiLLI)
Researchers secure £3m NIHR funding for new blood clot prevention trial

The research group Barts Bone & Joint Health, comprising researchers and clinicians from Queen Mary University of London, Barts Health NHS Trust, and other partner institutions has secured £3 million in funding from NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) to deliver the UKs largest trial in thromboprophylaxis.

Date added: Tuesday, August 15, 2023


Professor Denise Sheer at the Blizard Institute
Scientists join forces to transform treatments for childhood brain tumours

Experts at Queen Mary University of London, University College London (UCL), and Great Ormond Street Hospital are joining forces with researchers in Germany to develop pioneering treatments for children diagnosed with brain tumours, following major new funding from the UK’s leading brain tumour charity.

Date added: Tuesday, July 11, 2023


Advait Upadhyaya
MBBS and intercalating MSc Gastroenterology student wins prestigious national award

A fourth-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry has gained a top prize in the prestigious 2023 Dr Falk-Pharma/Guts UK Charity national awards.

Date added: Friday, July 7, 2023


Centre of the Cell’s STEM Pod undergoes state-of-the-art computer and film technology refurbishment

An extensive £438,000 refurbishment of STEM Pod, Centre of the Cell’s immersive digital interactive experience, is now complete – with more developments to come later this year.

Date added: Wednesday, June 28, 2023


Mariana Pinto da Costa presenting her work at the World Association of Social Psychiatry World Congress in Bucharest
Queen Mary academic receives fellowship for leading research in social psychiatry

Dr Mariana Pinto da Costa, a Queen Mary University of London Doctoral Research Fellow, has received a Fellowship from the World Association of Social Psychiatry.  

Date added: Monday, November 4, 2019


Queen Mary academic awarded in King’s Birthday Honours List

Queen Mary University of London Professor of Haemostasis and Thrombosis, Professor John Pasi, has been awarded an MBE in The King’s Birthday Honours List 2023.

Date added: Saturday, June 17, 2023


The Rowe Lab at the Blizard Institute
New study shines light on beneficial and pathogenic elements of ‘genomic dark matter’

A new study published in Cell Reports reveals certain elements of ‘genomic dark matter’ known as transposable elements as either beneficial or harmful to our health, exploring why this is and paving the way for future understanding of how to combat malignant cancers and other human diseases.

Date added: Monday, June 19, 2023


Jumping genes which can lead to rare syndrome in children identified

A new family of DNA elements which control the activation of certain genes to cause a rare disease known as 'MSL3 syndrome’ in children has been identified. 

Date added: Tuesday, June 13, 2023


Rosalind Hannen receiving her Research and Innovation Award
Blizard Institute colleagues celebrated at the inaugural Research and Innovation Awards

Queen Mary University of London held its first Research and Innovation Awards on Thursday 25 May, to recognise the excellent people and teams that make creative, dynamic, and world-class research and innovation possible at the University.

Date added: Wednesday, May 31, 2023


Dr Adrian Biddle with lab group
Dr Adrian Biddle wins PGR Supervisor of the Year award

Congratulations to Dr Adrian Biddle on winning Queen Mary Students' Union's (QMSU) PGR Supervisor of the Year award at this year's Education Awards.

Date added: Friday, May 5, 2023


Genes & Health expands to mental health and pregnancy research with £2 million Medical Research Council award

Genes & Health, a pioneering genetic research programme that aims to improve health for British Bangladeshi and British Pakistani communities, has started 2023 celebrating new milestones.

Date added: Tuesday, April 25, 2023


Claire Vinel
Blizard Institute researchers take innovative approach to tackling glioblastoma

Dr Claire Vinel in Professor Silvia Marino's Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Blizard Institute will take a novel approach to studying brain tumours by investigating communication between glioblastomas and muscles in the body.

Date added: Tuesday, March 21, 2023


Blizard Education Administrators win Education Excellence Award

Many congratulations to Sam, Becky, Krys, Ettore, Louise, Amy and Priti for receiving the award in recognition of their dedication to Blizard education.

Date added: Tuesday, March 21, 2023


Professor Andrew Prendergast to give Big Question Lecture: How can we help all children survive and thrive?

Why don't children always grow healthily during pregnancy? Can this affect them in later life? Professor Andrew Prendergast will be answering these questions and more in his free Big Question lecture.

Date added: Tuesday, March 14, 2023


Queen Mary University of London and icometrix receive prestigious AI Award

Queen Mary and icometrix have together been awarded the prestigious AI Award in Health and Care by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Date added: Tuesday, March 7, 2023


E-scooter riders likely to be more seriously injured than cyclists

A recent audit of trauma care in England and Wales, involving researchers from the Blizard Institute and published online in the journal Injury Prevention, has found that e-scooter riders are likely to sustain more serious injuries, particularly those of the head, than cyclists after a road traffic collision.

Date added: Wednesday, March 1, 2023


Dr Rabia Topan featured in Channel 4 Series on gut health

Clinical Research Fellow Dr Rabia Topan was recently featured as the resident gastroenterologist on the Channel 4 series ‘Know Your S**t: Inside Our Guts’, exploring digestive health and the relationship between the brain and the gut.

Date added: Wednesday, March 1, 2023


Clinicians identify severe form of mpox with high mortality in people with advanced HIV

An international collaboration of clinicians, led by Queen Mary University of London and the Fight Infections Foundation/Hospital Germans Trias of Barcelona, has identified a severe, necrotising form of mpox with a high mortality in immunosuppressed people living with HIV.

Date added: Wednesday, February 22, 2023


Digital graphic of microbes in the intestines
Target the microbiome to improve child undernutrition, say researchers

Research led by Queen Mary University of London suggests that nutritional interventions used to tackle child undernutrition in lower and middle-income countries should target gut microbiome development, rather than just human nutritional needs, to more effectively improve child growth and development.

Date added: Tuesday, February 14, 2023


Neuron Pod
HRH Princess Beatrice visits Blizard as Patron of the British Skin Foundation

HRH Princess Beatrice, in her newly appointed role as Patron of the British Skin Foundation, today visited the Blizard Institute at Queen Mary University of London to see first-hand how scientists are tackling the UK's rising skin cancer numbers.

Date added: Tuesday, February 7, 2023


Cochrane review finds that vitamin D does not reduce risk of asthma attacks

Taking vitamin D supplements does not reduce the risk of asthma attacks in children or adults, according to an updated Cochrane review published today.

Date added: Tuesday, February 7, 2023


Red blood cells and plasma in one bag
New product combining blood and plasma in one bag saves lives, study finds

A new blood product combining red blood cells and plasma in one bag is associated with a better survival from a penetrating major trauma injury, a new study involving Queen Mary University of London has found.

Date added: Wednesday, February 1, 2023


Ants on a background with DNA base pair coding written on paper
Big Question Lecture: How do genes make an ant society?

Want to find out about the work that goes on in the Wurm lab and learn more about the genetics and evolution of insect societies? Professor Yannick Wurm will be answering these questions and more in his free Big Question lecture.

Date added: Wednesday, December 14, 2022


Professor Silvia Marino
Brain Tumour Research Success in 2022

The Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Blizard Institute has made significant research breakthroughs in 2022.

Date added: Tuesday, January 3, 2023


Professor Klaus Schmierer
MS expert Professor Klaus Schmierer featured on new health and wellbeing podcast

The Blizard Institute's recently featured on a new health and wellbeing podcast to discuss the connection between a healthy lifestyle and good brain health.

Date added: Thursday, January 5, 2023


The Conversation logo
What is stiff person syndrome? Blizard expert explains the condition

In an emotional message, Céline Dion recently revealed to her Instagram followers that she has a rare condition called stiff person syndrome. Professor Richard Leslie, Professor of Diabetes and Autoimmunity, explains the condition.

Date added: Tuesday, December 13, 2022


UK Government launches Newborn Genomes Programme

The UK Government has today (13 December) announced the launch of a Newborn Genomes Programme, a new research study that will explore the effectiveness of using whole genome sequencing to detect rare diseases in newborn babies.

Date added: Tuesday, December 13, 2022


Blizard Institute raises £500 for Save the Children

Staff and students from the Blizard Institute got together for Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 8 December to organise a bake sale and donate to a great cause.

Date added: Tuesday, December 13, 2022


Queen Mary University of London acquires first Cell DIVE multiplexed imager for a university outside of North America

Queen Mary University of London has become the first university outside of North America to acquire a Cell DIVE imager, providing access to the latest technology and ensuring that we remain world-leading in the fast-moving area of single-cell approaches.

Date added: Wednesday, November 30, 2022


Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox virus particles (gold) cultivated and purified from cell culture. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID
Blizard academic leads first study of monkeypox infection in women

An international collaboration of clinicians, established and led by Professor Chloe Orkin at the Blizard Institute, has published the first case study series of monkeypox infection during the 2022 outbreak in cisgender (cis) and transgender (trans) women and non-binary individuals assigned as female at birth. The study provides new insights to inform the public health response to the ongoing outbreak.

Date added: Friday, November 18, 2022


Centre of the Cell’s STEMPod to undergo state-of-the-art computer and film technology refurbishment

This new investment in our unique learning space will ensure that Centre of the Cell continues to inspire young people in East London and beyond. 

Date added: Wednesday, November 16, 2022


Blizard Institute spinout company Enterika Ltd secures funding from Queen Mary Investment Fund

Queen Mary Innovation, the university’s technology transfer arm, has helped Enterika Ltd secure funding from the Queen Mary Investment Fund (QMIF) – a new fund to help commercialise the university’s world-class research and to support early-stage business spinouts. 

Date added: Wednesday, November 16, 2022


Researchers target healthy cells to halt pancreatic cancer invasion

Dr Abigail Coetzee from the Blizard Institute Blizard is named as co-first author of a paper published in Oncogene. She was involved in the research as part of her PhD at Barts Cancer Institute.

Date added: Tuesday, November 15, 2022


PhD student Liane Fernandes
Q&A: A satellite DNA array barcodes chromosome 7 and regulates totipotency via ZFP819

from the discusses her lab's recent article published in Science Advances. The team discovered that a certain satellite DNA barcode not only safeguards genome integrity, but also controls cell fate and reprogramming by promoting exit from totipotency and developmental progression.

Date added: Wednesday, November 2, 2022


Queen Mary researchers named in top 100 female scientists in the UK

Frances Balkwill, Irene Leigh and Claudia Langenberg have been named in research.com’s top 100 female scientists in the UK.

Date added: Wednesday, October 26, 2022


Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II
Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II: 1926-2022

It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Her Majesty the Queen. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family at this very difficult time.

Date added: Friday, September 9, 2022


Small intestinal biopsy from child with refractory stunting
Researchers use Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing to Better Understand Gut Inflammation associated with Malnutrition

An international collaboration of researchers involving Queen Mary University of London has used single-cell RNA-sequencing to study environmental enteropathy (EE), thought to be a major contributor to malnutrition, to identify potential cellular and molecular targets for treatment and provide a roadmap for future EE intervention studies.

Date added: Thursday, September 1, 2022


Teenagers with asthma feel mocked for using their inhalers

The research, published in BMJ Open, analysed posts written by teenagers and their parents from Asthma UK’s online forum between 2006 and 2016.  It found that the social stigma of asthma can play a role in teenagers choosing not to use their inhalers.

Date added: Wednesday, June 14, 2017


Researchers identify new genetic cause for life-threatening bone marrow failure

A team of researchers from the Blizard Institute at Queen Mary University of London led by Dr Hemanth Tummala, Dr Amanda Walne and Prof Inderjeet Dokal has identified a new genetic causal mechanism in Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) – a rare and complex haematological condition resulting in the inability of the bone marrow to produce sufficient blood cells.

Date added: Wednesday, August 10, 2022


Coronavirus on lungs. Credit: feellife/iStock.com
Researchers identify new genomic regions that influence the severity of COVID-19 disease

An international collaboration of human geneticists involving researchers at Queen Mary University of London and the Genes & Health study has identified 11 new genomic regions that influence the severity of COVID-19 disease.

Date added: Tuesday, August 9, 2022


Neuron Pod named one of the 10 best buildings of 2019

On Saturday 8 February, Neuron Pod, the state-of-the-art, purpose-built learning and community space at Centre of the Cell, was named by The Times as one of the 10 best buildings in 2019.

Date added: Wednesday, February 12, 2020


New trial shows nasal spray reduces infection of covid-causing virus by 62%

A new clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health researchers has shown that the pHOXWELL nasal spray can reduce infection with SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes Covid-19 - by 62%. The research was published in the Journal of Clinical Virology.

Date added: Monday, August 1, 2022


New study to examine the brain health of former footballers

Former players will be recruited through the Professional Footballers’ Association for a study examining the link between heading the ball or concussions and long-term brain function.

Date added: Wednesday, July 18, 2018


Tuberculosis awareness animation launched for World TB Day

A new health promotion tool has been launched to inform people about latent tuberculosis (TB) and engage migrant communities with local NHS testing and treatment.

Date added: Wednesday, March 28, 2018


Stem cell transplants to be used in treating Crohn’s disease

A clinical trial has begun which will use stem cell transplants to grow a new immune system for people with untreatable Crohn’s disease – a painful and chronic intestinal disease which affects at least 115,000 people in the UK.

Date added: Monday, August 6, 2018


Gut Microbiome
Veganuary – Benefits for Gut Health?

Veganuary, a dietary trend that involves going vegan for the month of January, has gained popularity in recent years due to growing interest in plant-based diets. However, there is consistent debate about the benefits and drawbacks of removing animal products entirely from the human diet. We asked Dr Ruairi Robertson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Blizard Institute, about the potential health benefits of a vegan diet in the context of gut health, a growing health trend.

Date added: Monday, January 24, 2022


Engagement and Enterprise Awards 2017

Date added: Wednesday, February 8, 2017


Professor Dame Parveen Kumar and family
Academic receives honour from the Queen

Date added: Tuesday, February 27, 2018


Blizard Institute at night
Blizard Institute seeks to appoint new director

Join the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry as Blizard Institute Director. Apply now.

Date added: Monday, January 17, 2022


New clinical symptoms identified in largest international case study series of confirmed monkeypox cases

An international collaboration of clinicians led by Queen Mary University of London has identified new clinical symptoms in people infected with monkeypox in the largest case study series to date.

Date added: Thursday, July 21, 2022


UK community survey demonstrates overwhelming demand for monkeypox vaccine information and vaccine roll-out

Interim data from a community-based monkeypox (MPXV) survey demonstrates an overwhelming demand for monkeypox vaccine and vaccine-roll-out, especially amongst those who consider themselves to be at risk-of MPXV.

Date added: Thursday, July 7, 2022


Blizard Building Marks 10 Year Anniversary

The iconic RIBA award winning building was opened by Princess Anne in October 2005, and over the past ten years has seen major advances in the research areas of cell biology, genomics, immunology, neuroscience, trauma, primary care and public health.

Date added: Wednesday, December 9, 2015


Person in a wheelchair
MS clinical trial to focus on people who can’t walk

The first multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trial to focus only on people who can’t walk is to start recruiting. The ChariotMS trial, led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, will test whether cladribine tablets (Mavenclad®), already licensed for highly active relapsing MS, can slow the rate of upper limb disability progression in people with advanced MS.

Date added: Thursday, November 19, 2020


Sarina Allan
Blog: Finding comfort in queer environments

I am Sarina (she/her), a second year medical student and a queer person. Much of my life I have been searching for comfortable queer environments. When I first came out at the age of 14, I was lucky to have a close-knit group of queer friends that accidently found each other. I was able to relax around them and felt safe to explore my identity. My coming out did not come without its discomfort, however.

Date added: Monday, February 21, 2022


Abigail Whitehouse
Blizard profile: Abigail Whitehouse

Dr Abigail Whitehouse is a researcher and NIHR clinical lecturer in the Centre for Genomics and Child Health at the Blizard Institute. Her research focuses on air pollution and ways to reduce wheezing and asthma in young children. She will explore these themes and more in her upcoming Big Question lecture, co-created with young people from Centre of the Cell’s Youth Membership Scheme.

Date added: Tuesday, January 18, 2022


Paul Vulliamy receiving the Apothecaries' Prize from master of the society Professor Jane Anderson
Dr Paul Vulliamy awarded Apothecaries’ Prize 2022

Congratulations to Dr Paul Vulliamy, clinical lecturer in trauma sciences and specialist registrar in general surgery, on being awarded the Apothecaries’ Prize 2022 by The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries.

Date added: Friday, July 15, 2022


Woman holds Covid-19 vaccine in hands.
Interrupting the treatment of vulnerable people on immune-suppressing medicines doubles their antibody response to COVID-19 booster vaccination

A major clinical trial, involving researchers from Queen Mary University of London and led by the University of Nottingham, has found that by interrupting the treatment of vulnerable people on long-term immune suppressing medicines for two weeks after a COVID-19 booster vaccination, their antibody response to the jab is doubled.

Date added: Tuesday, June 28, 2022


Graduate Studies Day 2022 prize winners. (L-R): Elena Garitta (second prize for poster presentation), Sarah Hindle (second prize for oral presentation), Professor Kenny Linton (Director of Graduate Studies), and James Holt (first prize poster presentation).
Graduate Studies Day 2022 showcases exciting research from our postgraduate research students

On Wednesday 22 June, the Blizard Institute held its annual Graduate Studies Day to celebrate the work of our postgraduate research students.

Date added: Friday, June 24, 2022


Bethany Hughes
Blizard Profile: Bethany Hughes

International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11th February, recognises the critical role women and girls play in science and technology. To celebrate, we catch up with Bethany Hughes, Blizard Institute PhD Student and Committee Chair of Women in Science and Engineering – WISE@QMUL

Date added: Friday, February 11, 2022


News article: Centre of the Cell reaches milestone of 200,000 participants
Centre of the Cell reaches milestone of 200,000 participants

Centre of the Cell, Queen Mary University of London’s informal biomedical science learning centre, has recorded 200,000 participants in its activities.

Date added: Friday, November 29, 2019


Representative 3D reconstruction images of human neuromuscular junctions
Researchers develop first human-relevant microphysiological model of neuromuscular circuits for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

A team of researchers from Dr Yung-Yao Lin’s group at the Blizard Institute, in collaboration with Dr Ivo Lieberam at King's College London, have developed the first light-controllable neuromuscular model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) using bioengineering techniques, pluripotent stem cells, and optogenetics – a neuromodulation method that uses genetically engineered “light sensors” to control the activities of individual neurons in living tissue.

Date added: Friday, September 10, 2021


Postgraduate student Matt Jones and colleague in the London Ambulance Service
Student blogs: Volunteering in the fight against COVID-19

We're incredibly proud of all our staff and students who are working or volunteering on the front line or behind the scenes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our postgraduate students have taken time from their studies and are currently working within the NHS, Public Health Wales and the ambulance service. Here we are highlighting the work of some of our students on the MSc Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) and MSc Clinical Science (Infection Science) programmes.

Date added: Thursday, May 21, 2020


Xavier Griffin
Blizard Profile: Xavier Griffin

Professor Xavier Griffin is a leading consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon. He joins the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and the Blizard Institute as the inaugural Chair of Bone and Joint Health.

Date added: Monday, January 17, 2022


A person measuring their waistline with a tape measure
Tackling the obesity epidemic with new research on metabolism

Researchers from Queen Mary have been awarded £2.67 million in funding to conduct innovative research in the field of metabolism.

Date added: Monday, June 13, 2022


Graphical image of Coronavirus
Omicron infection is a poor booster of COVID-19 immunity

People infected with the Omicron variant show poor immune boosting against future SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to the findings of a study published in the journal Science. The research team, which included researchers from Queen Mary University of London, looked at how the complex patchwork of immunity in the population following vaccination and previous infection influences our future protection against SARS-CoV-2.

Date added: Tuesday, June 14, 2022


Professor Chloe Orkin
Funding success for project to improve sex and gender inclusivity in medical research

, President of the Medical Women’s Federation and Clinical Professor of HIV Medicine at the Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London is named as a collaborator on a project led by The George Institute for Global Health (TGI) UK and Imperial College London, which has been awarded funding of £250,000 from the Wellcome Trust to co-produce policy on how sex and gender are considered in medical research in the UK.

Date added: Wednesday, June 8, 2022


Professor Joanne Martin
Queen Mary’s Deputy Vice Principal (Health) recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours

, also Director of the Blizard Institute and Professor of Pathology at Queen Mary University of London, has received a CBE for services to the NHS and Medical Education in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Date added: Thursday, June 2, 2022


Mary Collins
Mary Collins appointed as new Director of the Blizard Institute

Professor Mary Collins, the new Blizard Institute Director, has ambitious plans for expanding our world-leading multidisciplinary research.

Date added: Wednesday, June 1, 2022


Dr Ryan Wallis with the prize winners: (L-R) Ryan Wallis, Camilla SA Davan-Wetton, Marta Lalinde-Gutiérrez, Beth Hughes and Mohamed ElGhazaly
Blizard Institute early career researchers host international senescence symposium

On Friday 29 April, the Blizard Institute hosted the young International Cell Senescence Association (yICSA) Senescence Symposium 2022, organised and run by early career researchers from Queen Mary and yICSA.

Date added: Monday, May 2, 2022


Dr Upkar (Uppy) Gill
Dr Upkar Gill awarded for work on immune responses in Chronic Hepatitis B

The British Society of Gastroenterology has announced Dr Upkar (Uppy) Gill of the Blizard Institute as the recipient of the Sir Francis Avery Jones research medal, awarded for his work on immune responses in Chronic Hepatitis B.

Date added: Thursday, April 28, 2022


Professor Edel O'Toole receiving BSID Medal
Blizard researchers recognised at the British Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting

Congratulations to colleagues in the Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research for their success in winning various prizes at the Annual Meeting of the British Society for Investigative Dermatology (BSID).

Date added: Thursday, April 28, 2022


Maria Zareef Kahloon
Blizard student wins Course Rep of the Year award

Congratulations to second-year BSc Neuroscience student Maria Zareef Kahloon, who was recognised as Course Rep of the Year at Queen Mary Students’ Union’s (QMSU) Education Awards 2022.

Date added: Thursday, April 28, 2022


Animal Free Research UK. Dr Adrian Biddle meets MPs
Blizard researchers showcase animal-free cancer research methodologies in Parliament

Innovative technologies funded by Animal Free Research UK demonstrate to MPs how human relevant science can benefit both humans and animals.

Date added: Thursday, March 24, 2022


Emma Bourne
Blizard profile: Emma Bourne

Emma Bourne is a senior research technician in the Genome Centre at the Blizard Institute. She recently became a registered scientist through the technician commitment. We caught up with her to find out more.

Date added: Wednesday, March 9, 2022


Digital graphic depicting cancer cells. Credit: istock.com/vitanovski
New PCR test for oral cancer set to revolutionise diagnosis and treatment

qMIDS, the world’s first rapid oral cancer test, has been developed by Queen Mary University of London and an international team of researchers. It has the potential to relieve pressure on the NHS and may improve the early detection of oral cancer.

Date added: Wednesday, March 23, 2022


 London skyline
British South Asian genetic study reaches record volunteer numbers

Genes & Health study, a project led by Queen Mary University of London, has hit a key milestone with 50,000 research volunteers now participating nationally to help address the under-representation of South Asian communities in genetic research.

Date added: Tuesday, March 15, 2022


 laboratory glass equipment
Queen Mary awarded funding for new healthy ageing networks

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have been selected by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to create new networks aimed at transforming ageing research in the UK.

Date added: Tuesday, March 8, 2022


Young People gathering at the Blizard Institute
Young people from east London educated on air pollution

In the latest Big Question Lecture at the Centre of the Cell, Dr Abigail Whitehouse engaged a future generation of scientists in the Blizard Institute’s air quality research.

Date added: Monday, February 28, 2022


Hand holds small model of a brain
New approach to traumatic brain injuries could revolutionise diagnosis and treatment

New research led by Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust suggests that biochemical analysis of brain tissue could be used for diagnosis and prognosis of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) to improve patient outcomes and save billions in future clinical trials.

Date added: Wednesday, February 23, 2022


Professor Edel O'Toole
Professor Edel O’Toole awarded for service to dermatological research

The British Society for Investigative Dermatology has announced of the Blizard Institute as the winner of their 2022 Medal, awarded for distinguished service to dermatological research over many years.

Date added: Monday, February 28, 2022


Professor Chloe Orkin
Blog: Why I choose to be a ‘Visible Lesbian’

"I’ve been an ‘out’ gay woman in the workplace for about 23 years. I am often asked to provide role model profiles for LGBT+ awareness campaigns. Each time I brace myself, cringe inwardly, oblige and then start to seriously dread the thought of anyone reading it. For this year’s LGBT+ awareness week I decided to write this blog on why I choose to keep doing it" – Professor Chloe Orkin

Date added: Friday, February 11, 2022


Ryan Wallis in the lab
Blizard Profile: Ryan Wallis

Later this year, the Blizard Institute will welcome PhD students and early career researchers to the yICSA Senescence Symposium 2022. As Blizard Lead of yICSA and Vice President of the Association, we met with Postdoctoral Research Assistant Ryan Wallis to find out more about the event.

Date added: Thursday, February 3, 2022


Members of the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, (L-R): PhD student Thomas Willott, Professor Silvia Marino, PhD student Alexandra Hadaway
The young researchers helping to find a cure for paediatric brain cancers

Thanks to generous donations from Brain Tumour Research's partner charities, The William Low Trust and The Children’s Brain Tumour Foundation, two new PhD students have joined the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Blizard Institute. Their research is helping to find cures for some of the most devastating childhood brain cancers and provide insights into tackling a variety of brain tumours in young people.

Date added: Thursday, February 3, 2022


A child being vaccinated
Childhood Immunisations with the Experts

Dr Louisa James from the Blizard Institute joins public health social media campaign for childhood vaccinations

Date added: Thursday, February 3, 2022


Thomas Willott staff photo
Blizard profile: Thomas Willott

In August 2020, to help find a cure for medulloblastoma – the most common high-grade brain tumour in children. PhD student Thomas Willott has now joined 's team to help tackle this issue at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Institute. We catch up with Tom to find out more.

Date added: Sunday, January 23, 2022


Carlos De Oliveira
Blizard Profile: Carlos De Oliveira

Carlos De Oliveira took up the role of Research Manager at the Blizard Institute on Tuesday 4 January 2022. He discusses his role in supporting the work of our researchers and enhancing the research environment, including ways in which he can support in grant applications.

Date added: Monday, January 17, 2022


Blizard Institute Graduate Studies Day 2021 speakers
Graduate Studies Day showcases exciting research from our postgraduate research students

On Thursday 9 December, the Blizard Institute held its annual Graduate Studies Day to celebrate the work of our postgraduate research students.

Date added: Friday, January 21, 2022


Air pollution in London
Dr Abigail Whitehouse to give Big Question Lecture on air pollution

Ever wondered what the impact of air pollution is on growing lungs? Or what you can do to improve your lung health? Dr Abigail Whitehouse will explore these questions and more in her free Big Question lecture, co-created with young people from Centre of the Cell’s Youth Membership Scheme.

Date added: Tuesday, January 18, 2022


Blizard profile: Phoebe Hodges

Phoebe Hodges was recently awarded funding from the latest round of Queen Mary's Postgraduate Research Fund. Phoebe plans to use the award to facilitate microbiome work at the African Microbiome Institute in South Africa to look for changes associated with the demographic and nutrition transition in Zambia, from a subsistence farming community eating a traditional diet in a rural village, to people of high socioeconomic status living in the capital city Lusaka.

Date added: Tuesday, December 14, 2021


Colin Bailey at the Education Excellence Awards
Blizard Institute academic wins President and Principal’s Prize

Dr Andrew Durham, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science, is awarded a President and Principal’s Prize for his third-year module: Engaging the Public in Science.

Date added: Thursday, December 16, 2021


Vials containing blood.
New online training platform builds global expertise in trauma research

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London are helping to develop trauma frontline professionals as part of an international collaboration with Thailand’s Thai Siriraj Medical School and Mahidol University.

Date added: Tuesday, December 14, 2021


Woman holds Covid-19 vaccine in hands.
New insights into impact of multiple sclerosis treatments on Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness

Treatments used to help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) manage their condition can reduce the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines, according to research from Cardiff University and Queen Mary University of London

Date added: Wednesday, December 15, 2021


A child being vaccinated
Blizard Paper of the Year reveals groundbreaking insights into lifelong immunity

Research into immune memory in humans creates roadmap of germinal centres that could be the key to effective vaccines

Date added: Friday, December 3, 2021


SARS-CoV-2 virus particle surrounded by antibodies. Credit: koto_feja/ iStock.com
Immune imprinting causes varied patterns of protection against COVID-19 variants

New research shows that the first SARS-CoV-2 spike protein a person encounters, be it by vaccination or infection, shapes their subsequent immune response against current and future variants.

Date added: Friday, December 3, 2021


Nurse holds swab for coronavirus test.
Allergic conditions linked to lower Covid-19 infection risk

New research from Queen Mary University of London sheds new light on the risk factors for developing Covid-19.

Date added: Thursday, December 2, 2021


Image of African children holding hands. Credit: iStock.com/adl21
Queen Mary academics secure major funding from the National Institute for Health Research

A team of academics from Queen Mary University of London have successfully secured funding for a major research project led by Professor Andrew Prendergast from Queen Mary’s Blizard Institute and Dr Bwakura-Dangarembizi from the University of Zimbabwe.

Date added: Friday, December 3, 2021


Mystery of how human immune cells develop lifelong immunity uncovered – new research

Dr Hamish King and Dr Louisa James from the Centre for Immunobiology at the Blizard Institute discuss their new research into the role of the human germinal centre response and behaviour of B cells in developing immune memory.

Date added: Friday, February 12, 2021


Woman holding up a red ribbon, the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV.
World Aids Day – Improving the lives of everyone affected by HIV

As we mark 40 years since the first reported cases of HIV-related illnesses and deaths, we can see that HIV treatment and care has come a long way since the times when being diagnosed with HIV was a death sentence.

Date added: Tuesday, November 30, 2021


Crowd of people. Credit: PeterPencil/iStock.com
New £11.6 million PhD Programme for health research in underrepresented populations

The Health Advances in Underrepresented Populations and Diseases (HARP) PhD Programme focuses research towards people and diseases that have traditionally been underrepresented in healthcare studies.

Date added: Tuesday, November 30, 2021


Woman holds Covid-19 vaccine in hands.
New target for Covid-19 vaccines identified

Next generation vaccines for Covid-19 should aim to induce an immune response against ‘replication proteins’, essential for the very earliest stages of the viral cycle, according to a new study involving Queen Mary University of London researchers, Professor Aine McKnight, Dr Corinna Pade and Joseph Gibbons.

Date added: Thursday, November 11, 2021


Digital graphic interpretation of neuron cells
New study by London research team deepens understanding of the autonomic nervous system.

Innovations in brain imaging cast new light on the fundamentals of autonomic function, improve how autonomic disorders are detected and characterised, and provide a blueprint to apply advanced graphical modelling in other areas.

Date added: Thursday, November 11, 2021


Professor Silvia Marino. Credit: Brain Tumour Research
Research breakthrough could mean better treatment for patients with most deadly form of brain tumour

Blizard researchers studying the most common and aggressive type of brain tumour in adults have discovered a new way of analysing diseased and healthy cells from the same patient.

Date added: Thursday, October 21, 2021


Maria Riscado Ramos
Neuroscience student completes summer programme at the Francis Crick Institute

Maria Riscado Ramos talks about her experience.

Date added: Thursday, October 21, 2021


Doctor holding nasal spray.
Queen Mary researchers help develop nasal spray that prevents Covid-19

Queen Mary University of London professors Rakesh Uppal and Áine McKnight have been at the centre of a new clinical trial finding that pHOXWELL – a nasal spray developed by biotech company pHOXBIO - reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection by 63 per cent in the group given pHOXWELL compared to the group given the placebo. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes Covid-19.

Date added: Monday, September 27, 2021


Image of child being measured. Credit: iStock.com
Young children from England’s poorest areas are shorter, according to new Queen Mary study

Primary school children from England’s most deprived areas are nearly twice as likely to be short than those in the least deprived areas, according to new research led by the Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London.

Date added: Tuesday, September 28, 2021


Professor Chloe Orkin
Blizard Institute professor appointed as President of UK’s leading organisation for women doctors

Professor Chloe Orkin, Clinical Professor of HIV Medicine from the Blizard Institute, has been appointed as President of the Medical Women’s Federation.

Date added: Tuesday, September 14, 2021


William Low
Charity set up in memory of William Low to fund PhD student at the Blizard Institute

The William Low Trust has announced its commitment to fund a PhD student at the Blizard Institute over a four-year period at a cost of £143,657, to help find a cure for medulloblastoma – the most common high-grade brain tumour in children.

Date added: Wednesday, August 11, 2021


Digital graphic of a diverse group of people, representing the communities working with the Sexual Health and HIV All East Research (SHARE) Collaborative
New HIV centre set up to tackle inequality and improve treatment

A new HIV research centre is being set up by Queen Mary academics to address health inequalities and improve quality of life for everyone affected by HIV.

Date added: Monday, July 12, 2021


Blizard Institute laboratories
New mouth cancer centre to improve survival and quality of life for thousands of patients

A new cancer centre is being set up to improve survival rates and quality of life for thousands of people affected by squamous cancer – a specific type of cancer which affects the mouth, skin, lungs and cervix.

Date added: Wednesday, June 23, 2021


Cerase Lab geometric graphic
Long noncoding RNAs in neurological diseases

Giuseppe Trigiante and from the Centre for Genomics and Child Health at the Blizard Institute are currently running a project funded by Barts Charity, aiming to uncover the role of long noncoding RNAS (lncRNAs) in neuronal function. In this explainer, they discuss the role and function of lncRNAs, how they are involved in neurodevelopmental disease, and the importance of understanding this connection.

Date added: Thursday, June 17, 2021


The Davis family: (L-R) Edward, Cheryl, Miles, Dad, Lucas – © Brain Tumour Research
Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence to receive additional funding

The Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Blizard Institute is to receive funding of £144,000 to increase its team working to help find a cure for childhood brain tumours.

Date added: Thursday, May 20, 2021


A person receiving a vaccination in the upper arm
Professor Daniel Pennington helps to tackle vaccine hesitancy among young people

, Professor of Molecular Immunology and Centre Lead for the Centre for Immunobiology at the Blizard Institute, joined secondary school teacher Ed Stubbs to design resources to help young people better understand immunisation programmes.

Date added: Friday, May 7, 2021


COVID-19 vaccine
Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection rescues B and T cell responses to variants after first vaccine dose

A single dose of vaccine boosts potent responses against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus variants in those with previous COVID-19, a study has found.

Date added: Friday, April 30, 2021


Professor Silvia Marino
Researchers discover new way to starve brain tumours

Scientists from Queen Mary University of London, funded by the charity Brain Tumour Research and the Medical Research Council, have found a new way to starve cancerous brain tumour cells of energy in order to prevent further growth.

Date added: Monday, April 12, 2021


Professor Frances Balkwill
Professor Frances Balkwill – combining research and public engagement

In this World View article for the journal Nature Reviews Cancer, Professor Frances Balkwill discusses her dual career in public engagement and research.

Date added: Tuesday, April 6, 2021


DNA double helices
Scientists develop rapid test for diagnosis of rare set of genetic conditions

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and Cardiff University have developed a rapid test for the diagnosis of a constellation of rare and debilitating genetic conditions. The new high-resolution technology will be 'step-change' in testing for telomere disorders.

Date added: Wednesday, March 17, 2021


Research summary: Accelerating change in the management of Chronic Hepatitis B

In this research summary of a recent study from Blizard Institute researchers Patrick Kennedy and Upkar Gill, we hear about the potential of liver cancer development in patients with ‘quiescent’ chronic hepatitis B, after the group extensively studied the liver compartment in a cohort of east London patients.

Date added: Monday, March 15, 2021


Image showing male figurines and stethoscope
Significant gender disparities revealed in COVID-19 clinical trial leadership

Less than one-third of COVID-19 clinical trials are led by women, which is half the proportion observed in non-COVID-19 trials, according to research led by Queen Mary University of London, University of St Andrews, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Date added: Friday, March 5, 2021


Dr Corinna Pade and Mr Joseph Gibbons in the McKnight lab
Single dose of vaccine acts as ‘booster’ in those with prior COVID-19 infection

People who have previously had COVID-19 have an enhanced antibody response with a single dose of RNA vaccine, according to a study of 51 UK healthcare workers, around half of whom had a previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Date added: Friday, February 26, 2021


Small intestinal biopsy from child with refractory stunting
Researchers find long-term exposure to microbial pathogens results in childhood stunting

In a new paper published in Nature Microbiology, researchers from the Blizard Institute and colleagues from the Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition group in Zambia have found that constant exposure to microbial pathogens in children leads to stunted growth.

Date added: Thursday, February 18, 2021


The Centre for Predictive in vitro Models at Queen Mary University of London
Cross-faculty team win funding challenge to study tissue regeneration using organ-on-a-chip technology

A team of interdisciplinary researchers from Queen Mary University of London’s Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, and the School of Engineering and Materials Science, are one of three awardees for Phase 1 funding of the NC3Rs CRACK IT Challenge call. The funding will allow the team to develop a way to study tissue regeneration after traumatic injuries using organ-on-a-chip technology.

Date added: Tuesday, February 16, 2021


B Cells single cell schematic
Blizard research on the human antibody response reveals insights into long-term immune memory to vaccines and infections

In a paper published today in Science Immunology, researchers from the Blizard Institute conduct a detailed study of how antibody responses are generated in humans using a technique to measure the genes expressed by individual B cells and in parallel sequence their antibody genes. The findings could have implications for testing vaccine efficacy and understanding our immune systems more generally.

Date added: Friday, February 12, 2021


Vitamin D capsules
Q&A: Vitamin D3 replacement enhances antigen-specific immunity in older adults

Research published in the journal Immunotherapy Advances by scientists from the at the Blizard Institute, University College London, University of Edinburgh and Royal Free Hospital in London has shown that vitamin D replacement enhances antigen-specific immunity in the elderly. In this Q&A, Corresponding Author from the Centre for Immunobiology discusses these recent findings and the wider implications for improving the health-span of the UK’s aging population.

Date added: Monday, January 11, 2021


SARS-CoV-2 virus particle surrounded by antibodies. Credit: koto_feja/ iStock.com
Study finds evidence of lasting immunity after mild or asymptomatic Covid-19 infection

New research involving scientists from Queen Mary University of London has found evidence of protective immunity in people up to four months after mild or asymptomatic Covid-19.

Date added: Wednesday, December 23, 2020


Ella Kissi-Debrah. Credit: The Ella Roberta Family Foundation http://ellaroberta.org/
Queen Mary academic provides expert testimony for inquest on air pollution death

An inquest has ruled that air pollution was the cause of death of a nine year old girl. The outcome has made legal history as air pollution has never been identified as a cause of death before in the UK.

Date added: Thursday, December 17, 2020


London Air Ambulance on the helipad of The Royal London Hospital
Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine team wins Education Excellence Award

Congratulations to the MSc Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine programme team at the Blizard Institute for receiving the award. Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal, and Professor Stephanie Marshall, Vice-Principal (Education), presented Queen Mary's Education Excellence Awards and President and Principal's Prizes for 2020/21 at an online ceremony held on Tuesday 8 December 2020.

Date added: Friday, December 18, 2020


Andrea Cerase
Q&A: MeCP2 reactivation for Rett Syndrome therapy

In a new collaborative study involving the Cerase lab at the Blizard Institute, screening of around 30,000 molecules has shown that inhibitors of Janus Kinases, a class of protein that can modify other proteins in the cell, are potent reactivators of Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the MeCP2 gene. In this Q&A, explains why this new discovery could help introduce new therapeutic molecules into the treatment of RTT.

Date added: Monday, November 30, 2020


Traffic pollution
New study to determine if air pollution increases COVID-19 risk

A new study has been launched to better understand the link between air pollution and increased risk of developing COVID-19.

Date added: Monday, November 30, 2020


Coronavirus on lungs. Credit: feellife/iStock.com
Blizard scientists receive donation from Emulate, Inc to support Covid-19 research

Researchers from the Blizard Institute will use miniaturised living systems with human cells, known as organ-chips, donated by Emulate, Inc to investigate how Covid-19 affects the lungs.

Date added: Thursday, December 3, 2020


Queen Mary and Barts Health team at the Vaccines Trials Centre at Bethnal Green Library
Queen Mary and Barts Health deliver Covid-19 vaccine trial in east London

Londoners are today being urged to join a leading phase three Covid-19 vaccine study, as Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University of London administer a new trial from the Barts Health Vaccines Trials Centre at Bethnal Green Library.

Date added: Monday, November 16, 2020


Dr Helen Rowe
Q&A: The HUSH complex – a gatekeeper of type I interferon through epigenetic regulation of LINE-1 elements

from the Centre for Immunobiology explains how Hale Tunbak and Rocio Enriquez-Gasca in her lab have linked LINE-1 elements and the HUSH complex to regulation of the human innate immune system.

Date added: Tuesday, November 3, 2020


AMELIE logo
€9.5m EU funding awarded for ground-breaking research into incontinence

Queen Mary University of London is part of a consortium of 13 organisations across nine countries set to receive €9.5m in EU funding for a ground-breaking research project into the treatment of faecal incontinence.

Date added: Friday, October 30, 2020


Blizard Professor confirmed as President of European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility

On Friday 23 October, , Director of the Wingate Institute (part of the Blizard Institute) and Professor of Neurogastroenterology, was confirmed as President of the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM). The official confirmation follows his election to the post on Saturday 15 February 2020.

Date added: Monday, October 26, 2020


Vitamin D capsules
Clinical trial to investigate whether vitamin D protects against COVID-19

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London, funded by Barts Charity, have launched a new clinical trial to investigate whether taking vitamin D could protect people from COVID-19.

Date added: Tuesday, October 13, 2020


Measuring tape wrapped around a fork
Dr Madusha Peiris featured in Channel 4 programme on how to beat fat

Channel 4 has featured Dr Madusha Peiris from the Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology (part of the Blizard Institute) in their latest episode of "How to beat... Fat" where she helped 10 volunteers develop new weight loss techniques.

Date added: Monday, October 5, 2020


Black inclusions in placental cells resembling inhaled particulate matter (on a scale of nanometres)
Air pollution particles and metals found in the placenta

Pollution particles, including metals, have been found in the placentas of fifteen women in London, according to research led by Queen Mary University of London.

Date added: Wednesday, September 23, 2020


Health ministers and politicians visit brain tumour research labs

UK health ministers shared the news of an upcoming funding boost to brain tumour research, during a visit to laboratories at Queen Mary University of London this week.

Date added: Monday, February 26, 2018


South Korean government delegation visits the Blizard Institute to learn about tuberculosis management

On Thursday 13 June, Queen Mary welcomed a delegation of civil servants from South Korea’s Gyeongsangbuk-do provincial government to learn about Tuberculosis (TB) elimination policy in London. The meeting was hosted at the Blizard Institute in conjunction with the Queen Mary Global Policy Institute.

Date added: Friday, June 21, 2019


Professor Qasim Aziz in the Blizard Institute
Wingate professor featured in BBC film about living with IBD

Professor Qasim Aziz, Director of the Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology at the Blizard Institute, features in a new short film produced by the BBC and released online on Saturday 12 September. He discusses the connection between the brain and the gut, and potential new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.

Date added: Monday, September 14, 2020


Police tape cordoning off pedestrian crossing
London doctors call for urgent action to tackle legacy of youth violence

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London are calling for a police and community focus during the hours after school, after their research found that young people are most likely to be stabbed after school finishes for the day.

Date added: Tuesday, November 6, 2018


Young girl using her hands to drink water from a spout
Gender inequality could be driving the deaths of girls under five

Levels of gender inequality across the world are associated with disproportionate death rates among girls under five years old, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London.

Date added: Tuesday, October 30, 2018


Pregnant woman in hospital
Pregnant women with COVID-19 less likely to have symptoms, may be more likely to need intensive care and give birth early

Pregnant women seen in hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to show symptoms, and seem to be at increased risk of needing admission to an intensive care unit than non-pregnant women of similar age, according to a study involving researchers from the Blizard Institute and Institute of Population Health Sciences at Queen Mary University of London.

Date added: Thursday, September 10, 2020


A man holding his chest in discomfort
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation shown to prevent the development of, and reverse, established oesophageal pain hypersensitivity

In a new paper published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, researchers from the Wingate Institute of  Neurogastroenterology at the Blizard Institute have demonstrated that transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (t‐VNS) prevents the development of and/or reverses established visceral hypersensitivity in a previously validated model of acid‐induced oesophageal pain.

Date added: Friday, September 4, 2020


Digital graphic interpretation of neuron cells
Childhood obesity could increase the risk of multiple sclerosis

Childhood and adolescent obesity is projected to contribute up to 14 per cent of overall risk of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2035, according to research led by Queen Mary University of London.

Date added: Wednesday, August 26, 2020


ACACIA team photo from 2019 launch
New study into air pollution exposure in African children

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have received funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to conduct research into air pollution exposure affecting children in Africa.

Date added: Thursday, August 27, 2020


Centre of the Cell team inside Neuron Pod
Educators at Centre of the Cell shown to boost learning

New research led by North Carolina State University and the University of Exeter has shown that youth educators at informal science learning sites such as Centre of the Cell play an important role in promoting engagement with STEM learning for young people outside of formal education.

Date added: Monday, August 24, 2020


Queen Mary staff and student volunteers at a care home
Rapid PCR testing for COVID-19 being trialled in London care homes

In a UK-first, Queen Mary University of London is leading a clinical trial of a new rapid COVID-19 testing system that delivers results in under an hour. Working with the East London Health and Care Partnership, up to 2,000 staff and residents in 50 care homes are being recruited to see how effective rapid daily COVID-19 testing is at reducing rates of infection, hospitalisation and deaths.

Date added: Thursday, July 23, 2020


Members of the public wearing face masks on the street. Photo by Gustavo Fring
Blizard researcher helps draft report calling for intense preparation for winter COVID-19 peak

A new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences released on Tuesday 14 July warns that the UK must prepare now for a potential new wave of coronavirus infections this winter, which could be even more deadly than the first.

Date added: Thursday, July 16, 2020


Death rates from caesarean section far higher in developing countries, finds major global study

Caesarean sections are disproportionately threatening the lives of women and babies in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London.

Date added: Friday, March 29, 2019


Professor Charles Knowles
Blizard Institute professor releases single in memory of NHS colleagues

Blizard Institute Professor of Surgery and Barts Health NHS Trust Consultant Surgeon, , has written and recorded a ballad in memory of all NHS staff and other key workers who have lost their lives in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Date added: Monday, May 11, 2020


Barts Charity launches appeal to raise £1 million for Queen Mary’s life-saving trauma research

The Barts Charity Trauma Appeal, which was launched today, aims to raise £1 million to support vital research at The Royal London Hospital, in conjunction with Queen Mary University of London’s Centre for Trauma Sciences.

Date added: Monday, September 24, 2018


Q&A: How a DNA repair gene can cause bone marrow failure

Dr Hemanth Tummala and colleagues from the Blizard Institute had research published this week in the journal PNAS, which finds a new role for a gene in DNA repair. Primarily funded by the Medical Research Council and Bloodwise charity, the researchers studied children with inherited bone marrow failure (IBMF) to find mutations that might be causing their disease. In this Q&A, Dr Tummala explains the significance of the research and how it might lead to new treatments for cancer.

Date added: Wednesday, July 11, 2018


Platelet swollen into balloon structure next to normal platelets
Q&A: How histones cause platelets to swell and balloon in trauma patients

A team of researchers from the Blizard Institute’s Centre for Trauma Sciences (C4TS) and have recently had research published in the journal PNAS which found that histones, small proteins released by the injured tissues of trauma patients, punch holes in platelets causing them to swell into balloon structures. The surface of these platelet balloons support blood clot formation, and microparticles released from balloons then stick to white blood cells and may alter the response of the immune system. In this Q&A, Dr Scarlett Gillespie from C4TS explains the significance of the results and implications for further research.

Date added: Wednesday, August 21, 2019


Q&A: How ageing cells signal nearby cells to indicate they are not well

The Blizard Institute’s Dr Ana O’Loghlen and team* has had research published today in the journal Cell Reports, which shows that senescent (damaged and/or old) cells send messages in the form of packed ‘bags’ to other nearby cells to indicate that they are not well.  In this Q&A, Dr O’Loghlen explains the relevance of this research in ageing and age-related diseases, and discusses how this could be the reason why ageing can spread so quickly between different tissues in the body.

Date added: Tuesday, June 25, 2019


Digital graphics image of cells in purple and blue
Q&A: Small extracellular vesicles have the ability to rejuvenate old cells and reduce tissue damage associated with the ageing process

Various studies are currently looking at ways to rejuvenate old cells using young donor cells or certain drugs, however many of these approaches are toxic or may have unwanted side effects such as cancer. In this study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, researchers from the Epigenetics and Cellular Senescence Group at the Blizard Institute have demonstrated a much safer potential avenue using 'extracellular vesicles' released by young donor cells. In this Q&A, Dr Ana O’Loghlen describes the finding and the potential for future therapeutic use.

Date added: Tuesday, June 23, 2020


Digital graphics image of the DNA double helix in blue
Rare disease differences in males and females: X Chromosome inactivation and reactivation – implications for a therapeutic approach

Rett syndrome is a rare and devastating neurological disorder. It is a genetic disease caused by a mutation on the X chromosome, and affects almost only girls. Andrea Cerase from the Centre for Genomics and Child Health discusses his research into rare disease differences between sexes, and the implications for treating epigenetics-based disorders.

Date added: Thursday, September 5, 2019


Digital graphics image of cells in white and blue
Q&A: New patient-derived iPSC model for congenital muscular dystrophies demonstrates feasibility of identifying novel drug therapies

Researchers at the Blizard Institute have demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of models using patient-derived stem cells in assessing future drug candidates in the treatment of dystroglycanopathies (a group of congenital muscular dystrophies). In this Q&A, Dr Yung-Yao Lin from the Centre for Genomics and Child Health explains the implications of this proof of concept study in identifying drug therapies in the treatment of dystroglycanopathies, and for the study of other neurological diseases.

Date added: Monday, September 30, 2019


Dr Benita Morrissey
Dr Benita Morrissey wins President and Principal’s Prize at Queen Mary’s Education Excellence Awards

Congratulations to of the Centre for Genomics and Child Health at the Blizard Institute for winning the President and Principal’s Prize at the Education Excellence Awards yesterday evening.

Date added: Wednesday, December 11, 2019


An enclosed lab at the Blizard Institute
National Centre for the Replacement Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research PhD studentship now available

from the Centre for Genomics and Child Health at the Blizard Institute has been awarded funding to offer a PhD studentship in ‘3D bio-printing human pluripotent stem cell-derived skeletal muscle constructs for disease modelling and drug discovery’ by the National Centre for the Replacement Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)

Date added: Friday, December 20, 2019


Professor Silvia Marino
Changes in neuroglial cells contribute to immune evasion and tumour growth in most common malignant brain tumour in adults

A new paper by a researchers from the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, part of the Centre for Genomics and Child Health at the Blizard Institute, published in The EMBO Journal, finds that reactions in the microglia triggered by Glioblastoma multiforme hinders effective T‐cell infiltration, proliferation and immune reactivity, thereby contributing to tumour immune evasion and promoting tumour growth.

Date added: Monday, June 29, 2020


A scan of a human brain
Scientists discover protective Alzheimer’s gene and develop rapid drug-testing platform

A gene has been discovered that can naturally suppress the signs of Alzheimer’s Disease in human brain cells, in research led by Queen Mary University of London. The scientists have also developed a new rapid drug-screening system for treatments that could potentially delay or prevent the disease.

Date added: Friday, July 10, 2020


QMUL Barts and The London Medical School ranked second in the UK for medicine in Guardian University League Table 2017

Queen Mary University of London has been ranked the 34th best university in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2017.

Date added: Wednesday, May 25, 2016


Man looking at online health community interactions displayed graphically on a computer
Looking inside online health communities for people with chronic diseases: what holds them up?

15 million adults in England have a long-term condition (LTC) and can access online peer support. Online health communities can influence health, use of healthcare resources, and improve illness self-management. The way people connect online and in particular how highly active users (called superusers) shape the online communities play a fundamental role in information diffusion, according a study published today in the journal JMIR.

Date added: Thursday, July 12, 2018


Research team’s award-winning work in the fight against TB

A tuberculosis screening and treatment programme involving researchers from Queen Mary University of London has won a ‘Community or Primary Care Services Redesign’ award at the 2018 Health Service Journal (HSJ) awards.

Date added: Wednesday, December 12, 2018


Chris Skidmore MP Queen Mary UEZ
Universities Minister visits Queen Mary as £20m enterprise zone funding is announced

Universities Minister Chris Skidmore toured Queen Mary University of London’s Whitechapel campus as part of a funding announcement that will help universities stimulate growth in their local economies and provide vital support for innovative new companies.

Date added: Tuesday, September 24, 2019


Professor Karim Brohi in the Blizard Institute
Professor Brohi named again as one of London's most influential people

Professor Karim Brohi, Centre for Trauma Sciences (C4TS) lead and Consultant Trauma and Vascular Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust, has for the second year in a row been named in the Evening Standard's Progress 1000 list which recognises the most influential people in the capital.

Date added: Friday, October 4, 2019


BRAIN Study progressing well

The second round of participant recruitment is due to start. Watch the video.

Date added: Wednesday, June 6, 2018


ARPEC delegates meeting Peruvian colleagues
New study aims to prevent anaemia in Peruvian children

The causes of persistent high levels of anaemia among Peruvian children will be investigated by a new study led by Queen Mary University of London and the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (INSN), in collaboration with Universidad Nacional Intercultural de la Amazonia (UNIA) and Universidad Nacional San Christobal de Huamanga in Peru.

Date added: Monday, July 1, 2019


Pregnant woman
New stillbirth risk figures help women’s decisions on timing delivery

With every week that a pregnancy continues past term (37 weeks), the risk of stillbirth increases, according to an analysis of more than 15 million pregnancies led by Queen Mary University of London.

Date added: Tuesday, July 2, 2019


Natalie McCloskey, Gill Perrin, Charles Perrin CBE, Tim Warner and Clare Button
Charles Perrin CBE visits the Blizard Institute to view donated exhibition

On Tuesday 9 July, Charles Perrin CBE and his wife Gill visited the Blizard Institute to view his 2018 donation on display outside the Perrin Lecture Theatre at Queen Mary’s Whitechapel campus.

Date added: Thursday, July 11, 2019


Image of White Blood Cells in Colour produced by Paul Vulliamy
Blizard Clinical Research Fellow wins 'Best Image' in Life Sciences Image Awards 2019

Paul Vulliamy, Clinical Research Fellow in the , came out on top for his image of 'White Blood Cells in Colour'. He received an iPad Air and Apple pencil for his win.

Date added: Friday, July 19, 2019


Laura Jørgensen and baby Magnus who took part in the clinical trial
Mediterranean diet during pregnancy reduces gestational diabetes and weight gain

A simple Mediterranean-style diet in pregnancy does not reduce the overall risk of adverse maternal and offspring complications, but has the potential to reduce weight gain in pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes, according to a clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London and the University of Warwick.

Date added: Wednesday, July 24, 2019


Statin tablets
European guidelines on lipid control advocate “lower is better” for cholesterol levels

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) launched new guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias at the ESC meeting 1–4 September 2019 with the guidelines concurrently published in the European Heart Journal. , Chair in Health Economics at the at the Blizard Institute, is a member of the guidelines Taskforce.

Date added: Friday, September 27, 2019


Medics carrying injured soldier on stretcher
US Department of Defense awards £1m to Queen Mary University of London for AI research on treating injured soldiers

Medical care of injured soldiers could improve with new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools designed for the battlefield and the hospital following a grant from the US Department of Defense for research at Queen Mary University of London.

Date added: Wednesday, October 2, 2019


Health data professional consulting with colleague over data on computer
Queen Mary celebrates successful bid for Wellcome Trust PhD Programme in Science: Health Data in Practice

Academics from Queen Mary University of London have been awarded £5.5 million to deliver an innovative ‘Health Data in Practice' PhD Programme, with the first intake of students planned for October 2020.

Date added: Monday, October 21, 2019


Nusrit (Nelly) Shaheen from Coventry has harlequin ichthyosis. Nelly believes in living life to the fullest. This photograph was taken during a skydive that she performed for charity in 2017.  Acknowledgement: Nusrit Shaheen.
Q&A: 3D model of harlequin ichthyosis reveals inflammatory therapeutic targets

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London, University of Cambridge, and Barts Health NHS Trust have identified new avenues for possible treatment of the genetic skin disorder harlequin ichthyosis using a 3D cell model in a new paper published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. In this Q&A, from the Blizard Institute’s Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research explains how they identified new inflammatory therapeutic targets and the wider implications of the results.

Date added: Monday, June 22, 2020


News article: Neuron Pod wins major lighting award
Neuron Pod wins major lighting award

Neuron Pod, the state-of-the-art, purpose-built learning and community space at Centre of the Cell has won the Lighting Designer of the Year award for Community Building Lighting at the LIT Design Awards™, thanks to Sutton Vane Associates.

Date added: Wednesday, December 18, 2019


Digital graphic image of red blood cells
Q&A: The efficacy and safety of using adeno-associated virus-mediated gene therapy to treat patients with Haemophilia A

Researchers led by Professor John Pasi from the Blizard Institute have demonstrated the efficacy and long-term safety of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy to treat Haemophilia A over three years. In this Q&A, Professor Pasi discusses why this study is important, and the wider implications for the research.

Date added: Tuesday, January 7, 2020


Digital graphic interpretation of neuron cells
New light technology helps identify anti-drug antibodies

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London, including the Blizard Institute, have successfully demonstrated the use of a novel light emitting technology in identifying anti-drug antibodies that can reduce effectiveness of monoclonal antibody therapies.

Date added: Tuesday, February 18, 2020


Professor Jonathan Grigg
Professor of Paediatrics appointed as NIHR Senior Investigator

The Blizard Institute's Professor Grigg has been appointed as a Senior Investigator for 2020 by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) – the nation's largest funder of health and care research.

Date added: Friday, February 28, 2020


Blizard Staff receiving COVID-19 samples
Blizard staff set up COVID-19 diagnostic studies in record time

The first clinical samples of COVID-19 have been received by the Blizard Institute.

Date added: Tuesday, March 24, 2020


Harriet Allan with her poster at the STEM for Britain event
Blizard PhD student takes platelet research to Parliament

PhD student Harriet Allan from the Blizard Institute's attended Parliament to present her research to politicians and scientific experts as part of the STEM for BRITAIN event.

Date added: Friday, April 3, 2020


Sir Mark Caulfield
Queen Mary hosts precision medicine leadership event showcasing developments from academia and industry

On Thursday 5 March, Queen Mary hosted a successful precision medicine leadership event at St Bartholomew’s Great Hall on our West Smithfield campus. The event, run in partnership with One Nucleus and Cerba Research, explored new developments in the field of precision medicine as well as opportunities for academic and industrial collaboration.

Date added: Wednesday, April 8, 2020


John Connelly wearing a 3D-printed visor
Queen Mary 3D-prints protective equipment for COVID-19 NHS workers

The Queen Mary University of London community, including researchers, clinicians and support staff, have stepped in to assist the NHS with urgent requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE) to combat the outbreak of COVID-19.

Date added: Wednesday, April 8, 2020


The team inside the special containment lab processing COVID-19 samples
Hospitals are safer places than you might think, new COVID-19 research finds

Research involving Queen Mary University of London suggests that currently the public should not fear contracting COVID-19 from hospital staff, who appear to be at low risk of infection by patients.

Date added: Monday, May 11, 2020


Digital graphic interpretation of neuron cells
New antibody technology for monitoring MS patients may have potential in COVID-19 testing

A new study led by Queen Mary University of London has demonstrated the effectiveness of using a novel light technology to monitor the presence of anti-drug antibodies in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), which can lead to drug resistance and treatment failure. The researchers say that they have also applied the technology to COVID-19 for potential use in antibody testing to determine whether someone has previously been infected with the virus.

Date added: Thursday, June 4, 2020


A child being treated by orthopaedics
A multi-million pound boost for orthopaedic research

Barts Charity has donated £2.9 million to establish a new centre of excellence for academic trauma and orthopaedic surgery at Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust.

Date added: Friday, June 5, 2020


Digital graphics image of cells in blue and orange
Q&A: The different ways in which cells talk to each other during the ageing process

A new paper by Dr Ana O’Loghlen and Juan Antonio Fafián-Labora from the Epigenetics and Cellular Senescence Group at the Blizard Institute, published in the journal Trends in Cell Biology, provides a review of different means of intercellular communication including soluble factors in the context of senescence, ageing and age-related diseases. In this Q&A, Dr O’Loghlen discusses the importance and wider implications of this review.

Date added: Monday, June 8, 2020


Congratulations to Centre of the Cell on welcoming its 150,000th visitor in June 2017.

The Blizard Institute’s science education centre, Centre of the Cell, reached a milestone of 150,000 participants in June 2017.

Date added: Thursday, July 6, 2017


Blizard students publish in Journal of Physiology

Congratulations to Blizard students for publishing a paper in the Journal of Physiology.

Date added: Friday, February 24, 2017


Blizard Club - Paper of the Year 2016

Date added: Thursday, February 23, 2017


QMUL researchers among winners announced for £2m programme to commercialise life sciences discoveries

Congratulations to Dr Rosalind Hannen and Professor Kenny Linton  who have been successful in securing an award from MedCity’s new ‘Collaborate to Innovate’ scheme. The £2m ‘Collaborate to Innovate programme, led by King’s College London and part-funded by ERDF and HEFCE, is connecting 16 life sciences SMEs with leading academics to address a specific challenge related to their product or service.

Date added: Wednesday, March 22, 2017


Professor Green launches 'Transform Trauma' fundraising appeal for QMUL research

The rapper Professor Green is helping to raise funds for trauma research at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) in a major appeal led by Barts Charity.

Date added: Wednesday, July 26, 2017


Previously unpublished trial data explain side effects of key MS drug

Through a Freedom of Information request to the European Medicines Agency, researchers from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have gained access to data from drug trials, revealing new information about a key drug for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Date added: Friday, June 16, 2017


Giant ‘nerve cell’ to be built in London’s East End

Planning permission has been granted for the construction of a new science education space in Whitechapel, East London at Centre of the Cell, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

Date added: Friday, November 25, 2016


£2.4 million awarded for international trial on major traumatic bleeding

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and NHS Blood & Transplant have been awarded £2.4m from the National Institute for Health Research and Barts Charity to carry out a large multi-centre clinical trial to evaluate a new treatment in major traumatic haemorrhage

Date added: Friday, February 10, 2017


Sugar intake during pregnancy is associated with allergy and allergic asthma in children

High maternal sugar intake during pregnancy may increase the risk of allergy and allergic asthma in the offspring, according to an early study led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) involving almost 9,000 mother-child pairs

Date added: Thursday, July 6, 2017


Barts Innovations in Healthcare Awards - Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Barts Innovations in Healthcare Awards November 2016!

Date added: Thursday, January 19, 2017


New protein discovered in ageing and cancer

A protein has been found to have a previously unknown role in the ageing of cells, according to an early study by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). The researchers hope that the findings could one day lead to new treatments for ageing and early cancer.

Date added: Thursday, March 9, 2017


New tool predicts severe risks in mothers with pregnancy complications

A new tool developed by researchers from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) could save mothers’ and babies’ lives by predicting whether women with early onset pre-eclampsia are safe to prolong their pregnancy.

Date added: Thursday, March 30, 2017


Leading medical charity awarded six-figure sum from London Freemasons to drive progress against “neglected” cancer

Date added: Wednesday, August 30, 2017


Theatre project boosts peer support for young people with asthma

An innovative theatre project and a game app have been presented by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) researchers at the British Science Festival as new ways to help teenagers with asthma.

Date added: Monday, September 11, 2017


Scans of brains and spinal cords reveal new insights into MS

Some common assumptions about the nature of multiple sclerosis (MS) are being challenged in two new studies led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) that analyse the brains and spinal cords of patients.

Date added: Friday, May 12, 2017


QMUL professor selected as NIHR senior investigator

Congratulations to Professor Sandra Eldridge from the Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, who has been selected as a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) senior investigator.

Date added: Thursday, March 30, 2017


Moderate exercise and dieting reduces risk of caesarean section and diabetes in pregnancy

Pregnant women who have a healthy diet and regular moderate exercise are less likely to have a caesarean section, gain excessive weight, or develop diabetes in pregnancy, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) using data from over 12,000 women.

Date added: Monday, July 24, 2017


Zimbabwe’s new era and hopes for treating child malnutrition

Ruairi Robertson is a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Fellow based at the Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London. In this two-part blog, he describes his recent trip to Zimbabwe where he and his team are carrying out research into severe acute malnutrition.

Date added: Tuesday, July 31, 2018


New research funding brings new hope for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Barts Charity and Action Duchenne have combined forces to support research into new stem cell therapies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. With a combined award of £276,000 (£250,000 from Barts Charity and £26,000 from Action Duchenne) they will be supporting the research of Dr Yung-Yao Lin, lecturer at the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London.

Date added: Wednesday, May 9, 2018


News article: Neuron Pod receives commendation at Structural Steel Design Awards
Neuron Pod receives commendation at Structural Steel Design Awards

Centre of the Cell has received a commendation for ‘a high standard of design’ for Neuron Pod, the new state-of-the-art, purpose-built learning and community space.

Date added: Monday, October 7, 2019


HIV
Professor Chloe Orkin breaking stigma and dispelling myths around HIV with former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas

Before going public with his HIV diagnosis, Gareth Thomas spoke to , British HIV Association (BHIVA) Chair and Clinical Professor of HIV Medicine at the Blizard Institute, who helped him to tackle the stigmas, myths and misunderstandings surrounding the condition. Their conversation features in the BBC documentary, "HIV and Me," broadcast on Wednesday 18 September.

Date added: Wednesday, September 18, 2019


tuberculosis secondary
Queen Mary hosts first international tuberculosis symposium

This summer, the Blizard Institute at Queen Mary University of London, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre in Tradate, Italy, held Queen Mary’s first international tuberculosis (TB) symposium.

Date added: Wednesday, August 21, 2019


Study finds increase in step-count leads to long term health benefits

A new study involving researchers from the Blizard Institute found that short-term pedometer interventions produce significant health benefits several years later.

Date added: Wednesday, June 26, 2019


Blizard professor appointed as Vice-President of Medical Women's Federation

Professor Chloe Orkin has been appointed as the new Vice-President of the UK’s leading organisation for women doctors.

Date added: Tuesday, June 4, 2019


Spanish flu was ignored as a ‘minor infection’ two years before the great outbreak of 1918

The most severe pandemic in recent history, killing some 50 million people worldwide, the Spanish Influenza, may have emerged up to two years earlier than previously believed, according to a new study by Queen Mary University of London researchers.

Date added: Tuesday, May 28, 2019


Blizard academic awarded for contribution to general practice through research

from the Centre for Primary Care and Public Health at the Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, has received the John Fry Award for promoting the discipline of general practice through research and publishing.

Date added: Wednesday, May 22, 2019


Project launches to improve asthma control in African schoolchildren

A new project to improve asthma in African children has been officially launched at an event in Durban, South Africa.

Date added: Tuesday, May 21, 2019


Diabetes patients at higher risk of deadly liver disease, finds study of 18 million people

Many patients with potentially deadly liver cirrhosis and liver cancer are being diagnosed at late advanced stages of disease, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London and the University of Glasgow.

Date added: Monday, May 20, 2019


New tool to predict epileptic seizures in pregnancy could save lives

A new risk calculator for pregnant women with epilepsy, developed by researchers from Queen Mary University of London, has been found to accurately predict the risk of seizures during pregnancy and up to six weeks after delivery, and could save the lives of mothers and babies.

Date added: Tuesday, May 14, 2019


Queen Mary launches world's first postgraduate certificate in tuberculosis

In order to train the next generation of tuberculosis (TB) specialists, Queen Mary University of London has announced the launch of the world’s first postgraduate certificate to focus exclusively on TB, which will be delivered across the world through online distance learning from September 2019.

Date added: Monday, May 13, 2019


Blizard academic awarded for Outstanding Contribution to Health

Professor Dame Parveen Kumar DBE from the Centre for Immunobiology at the Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, has received the BMJ Award for Outstanding Contribution to Health.

Date added: Monday, April 29, 2019


Blizard researcher recognised for early career excellence in nutrition science

Dr Ruairi Robertson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Genomics and Child Heath at the Blizard Institute, has been recognised by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) for his work on how different nutrients affect the gut microbiota in early life and the subsequent effects on child health and disease, particularly child growth.

Date added: Friday, April 5, 2019


Q&A - How an antibiotic reduces systemic inflammation in HIV infection by altering the gut microbiome and immune activation

The Blizard Institute's Dr Claire Bourke and Dr Andrew Prendergast and colleagues had research published this week in the journal Science Translational Medicine, which shows for the first time that otrimoxazole treatment suppresses inflammation among people living with HIV. In this Q&A, Dr Bourke explains the significance of the research and the implications that this might have in the treatment of other health conditions that are made worse by ongoing inflammation.

Date added: Thursday, April 4, 2019


Back to top