{"articles":[{ "contentID": "1778533", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/study-uncovers-how-bacteria-load-toxins-into-microscopic-speargun/", "date": "27 May 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-05-27", "headline": "Study uncovers how bacteria load toxins into microscopic \u2018speargun\u2019", "summary": "New research reveals how a hospital pathogen assembles its microscopic \u2018speargun\u2019, opening a new route to disarm infections. ", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "Dr Tiago R Dias da Costa", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Bacteria|Infectious Diseases", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1777586", "articleURL": "/news/articles/2026/seven-imperial-professors-elected-fellows-of-the-academy-of-medical-sciences/", "date": "21 May 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-05-21", "headline": "Seven 51勛圖厙 professors elected Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences", "summary": "51勛圖厙 researchers working across infectious disease, genomics, neuroscience and cardiovascular medicine are among those recognised in this year\u2019s Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Louisa Lee, Meesha Patel, Eliza Kania, Emily Medcalf, Emily Govan", "profile": "Professor Danny M Altmann, Professor Anne R Lingford-Hughes, Professor David J Sharp, Professor James S Ware, Professor Mariagrazia Pizza, Professor Michael J E Sternberg, Professor Paul Kellam", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "51勛圖厙 News, Medicine, Natural Sciences, News, Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Department of Brain Sciences, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Infectious Disease, National Heart and Lung Institute, Life Sciences", "topic": "Health, Campus and community, Cross-faculty, Science", "topicLabel": "Health", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology|Dementia|Fellows|Global Health|Healthcare|Infectious Diseases|Public Health|Research|Vaccines", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1772281", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/scientists-uncover-hidden-plant-defence-system-that-could-inform-next-generation-resilient-crops-and-production/", "date": "30 April 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-04-30", "headline": "Scientists uncover hidden plant defence system that could inform next-generation resilient crops and production", "summary": "A newly discovered immune mechanism shows how plants use internal calcium signals to fight disease, potentially opening new pathways for stronger, more resilient crops. ", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Roelle Santa Maria", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Engineering, Natural Sciences, Bioengineering, Life Sciences", "topic": "Cross-faculty, Engineering, Science", "topicLabel": "Cross-faculty", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Climate, energy and sustainability|Engineering Bioeng|Environment|Food Security|Immune System|Research|Synthetic Biology", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1772248", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/professor-vincent-savolainen-recognised-with-city-of-london-honours/", "date": "29 April 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-04-29", "headline": "Professor Vincent Savolainen recognised with City of London honours", "summary": "Professor Vincent Savolainen has been admitted to the Freedom of the City of London and the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, in recognition of his contributions to science.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "Professor Vincent Savolainen", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Centres, Natural Sciences, Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Life Sciences", "topic": "Campus and community", "topicLabel": "Campus and community", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Environment", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1770938", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/lower-intensity-coconut-farming-boosts-yields-and-soil-health-in-west-africa/", "date": "23 April 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-04-23", "headline": "Lower-intensity coconut farming boosts yields and soil health in West Africa", "summary": "New research shows that lower-intensity management of coconut palm plantations can sustain, or even increase, crop yields while improving soil health.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "Professor Vincent Savolainen, Dr Tilly Collins", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Centres, Natural Sciences, Environmental Policy, Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Africa|Climate, energy and sustainability", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1758970", "articleURL": "/news/articles/2026/scientists-find-promising-drug-target-for-tuberculosis/", "date": "17 March 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-03-17", "headline": "Scientists find promising drug target for tuberculosis", "summary": "Researchers from 51勛圖厙 and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have discovered a drug target that could potentially help tackle drug-resistant tuberculosis, one of the biggest causes of death worldwide.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "David Silverman", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "51勛圖厙 News, Natural Sciences, News, Chemistry, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science, Health", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Bacteria|Drug Discovery|Enterprise|Infectious Diseases|Translation", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1758333", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/researchers-launch-forecasting-challenge-to-help-predict-severe-patient-harm-in-nhs-hospitals/", "date": "10 March 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-03-10", "headline": "Researchers launch forecasting challenge to help predict severe patient harm in NHS hospitals", "summary": "Researchers have launched a new data science challenge aimed at improving the ability of NHS hospitals to anticipate and prevent severe patient harm.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Health", "topicLabel": "Health", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Healthcare", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1754017", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/researchers-call-for-urgent-action-on-ecological-feedbacks-in-earth-system-science/", "date": "24 February 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-02-24", "headline": "Researchers call for urgent action on ecological feedbacks in Earth system science", "summary": "A new review shows that ecological feedbacks, the ways that living organisms shape and respond to their environment, are essential for regulating the planet\u2019s climate, chemical cycles and ecosystem stability, yet these processes are often overlooked in current research and modelling.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Centres, Natural Sciences, Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Global Challenges Natural World", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1744635", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/celebrating-25-years-of-the-flowers-building/", "date": "17 February 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-02-17", "headline": "Celebrating 25 Years of the Flowers Building", "summary": "The Flowers Building, 51勛圖厙\u2019s hub for infectious disease research in South Kensington, is celebrating 25 years of scientific discovery.\n", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "Professor Shiranee Sriskandan", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Medicine, Natural Sciences, Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science, Health", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology|Events", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1743044", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/plants-could-sustain-humans-on-the-moon-mars-and-beyond/", "date": "11 February 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-02-11", "headline": "Plants could sustain humans on the Moon, Mars and beyond", "summary": "Plants could play a central role in sustaining human life on the Moon, Mars and beyond, according to a new international Viewpoint. ", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Space", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1741173", "articleURL": "/news/articles/medicine/department-of-surgery-and-cancer-news-articles/2026/exposure-to-burn-injuries-played-key-role-in-shaping-human-evolution-study-suggests/", "date": "5 February 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-02-05", "headline": "Exposure to burn injuries played key role in shaping human evolution, study suggests", "summary": "Humans\u2019 exposure to high temperature burn injuries may have played an important role in our evolutionary development, shaping how our bodies heal, fight infection, and sometimes fail under extreme injury, according to new research.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Conrad Duncan", "profile": "Dr Joshua S Cuddihy, Professor Armand M Leroi", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "51勛圖厙 News, Medicine, Natural Sciences, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Life Sciences", "topic": "Health, Science", "topicLabel": "Health", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Evolution", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1741082", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/zsl-scientific-medal-won-by-professor-cris-banks-leite/", "date": "4 February 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-02-04", "headline": "ZSL Scientific Medal won by Professor Cris Banks-Leite", "summary": "Many congratulations to Professor Cris Banks-Leite, who has been awarded the prestigious ZSL Scientific Medal.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Research", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1741069", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/scientists-reveal-how-sleeping-sickness-parasites-control-their-surface-coat--/", "date": "4 February 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-02-04", "headline": "Scientists reveal how sleeping sickness parasites control their surface coat ", "summary": "Researchers have revealed how parasites hide thousands of antigens behind a single-colour coat and how disrupting this control could make the parasite more visible to the immune system. ", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Immune System", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1739289", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/2026/fons-students-present-at-linnean-society-meeting-/", "date": "29 January 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-01-29", "headline": "FoNS undergraduate students present at Linnean Society Meeting ", "summary": "Undergraduate students from both the Department of Life Sciences and the Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) collaborated in order to present their work at the Linnean Society Meeting last November. ", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Alice Sharman", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Environmental Policy, Life Sciences", "topic": "Campus and community, Science", "topicLabel": "Campus and community", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Research|Students", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1737427", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/new-associate-provost-role-for-bernadette-byrne/", "date": "20 January 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-01-20", "headline": "New Associate Provost role for Bernadette Byrne", "summary": "Professor Bernadette Byrne has taken on the role of Associate Provost (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), until 31 August 2027. ", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Campus and community", "topicLabel": "Campus and community", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Campus Developments", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1737401", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/imperial-students-win-gold-medal-at-2025-igem-grand-jamboree-/", "date": "20 January 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-01-20", "headline": "51勛圖厙 students win Gold Medal at 2025 iGEM Grand Jamboree ", "summary": "A group of Life Sciences undergraduates developed a yeast strain and optimisation tool for sustainable cultivated-meat production at iGEM 2025. ", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Campus and community", "topicLabel": "Campus and community", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Events", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1736497", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2026/37million-project-to-unlock-secrets-of-deep-coral-reefs/", "date": "20 January 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-01-20", "headline": "\u00A33.7\u202Fmillion project to unlock secrets of deep coral reefs", "summary": "Researchers are launching a major new project to investigate the resilience of deeper coral ecosystems to future climate change. ", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Centres, Natural Sciences, Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Nature", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1720861", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2025/new-research-explores-ecological-and-social-roots-of-same-sex-sexual-behaviour-in-primates-/", "date": "12 January 2026", "year": "2026", "sortDate": "2026-01-12", "headline": "New research explores ecological and social roots of same-sex sexual behaviour in primates ", "summary": "A comprehensive new study of primates reveals that same-sex sexual behaviour (SSB) is widespread and influenced by a combination of environmental and social factors. ", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "Professor Vincent Savolainen", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Nature", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1717687", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2025/silwood-sustainability-champions-lead-the-way-with-green-impact-award/", "date": "11 December 2025", "year": "2025", "sortDate": "2025-12-11", "headline": "Silwood Sustainability Champions lead the way with Green Impact Award", "summary": "The Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, with headquarters at Silwood Park, has earned a Bronze Green Impact Award, recognising its commitment to embedding practical sustainability across the campus.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "Professor Vincent Savolainen", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Centres, Natural Sciences, Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Life Sciences", "topic": "Campus and community, Science", "topicLabel": "Campus and community", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Sustainability|Sustainable Development Goals|Sustainable 51勛圖厙", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1718054", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2025/imperial-led-project-brings-gene-drive-mosquitoes-closer-to-reality-in-africa/", "date": "10 December 2025", "year": "2025", "sortDate": "2025-12-10", "headline": "51勛圖厙-led project brings gene-drive mosquitoes closer to reality in Africa", "summary": "An 51勛圖厙-led project has made a major advancement in developing gene drive modified mosquitoes to eliminate malaria transmission in Africa.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Conrad Duncan", "profile": "Professor George K Christophides, Dr Nikolai Windbichler", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Africa|International|Malaria|Research", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1717449", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2025/new-study-will-explore-how-photosynthesis-works-with-lower-energy-light/", "date": "9 December 2025", "year": "2025", "sortDate": "2025-12-09", "headline": "New study will explore how photosynthesis works with lower-energy light", "summary": "A \u00A35.4m UKRI SLoLA award will fund a major five-year study into recently discovered long-wavelength forms of photosynthesis.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Centres, Natural Sciences, Centre for Processable Electronics, Life Sciences, Physics", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Research", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1714636", "articleURL": "/news/articles/admin-services/giving/2025/1134-million-gift-to-propel-advances-in-environmental-research/", "date": "26 November 2025", "year": "2025", "sortDate": "2025-11-26", "headline": "\u00A311.34 million gift to propel advances in environmental research", "summary": "Philanthropic support from the Michael Uren Foundation will transform ecological research at 51勛圖厙\u2019s Silwood Park Campus.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Christiana Jasutan", "profile": "Professor Daniel M Davis, Professor Richard V Craster", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Administration, Natural Sciences, Climate Change, Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Life Sciences", "topic": "Campus and community, Science", "topicLabel": "Campus and community", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Climate Change|Environment|Nature|Philanthropy", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1714784", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2025/global-bird-study-reveals-declining-ecosystem-resilience/", "date": "26 November 2025", "year": "2025", "sortDate": "2025-11-26", "headline": "Global bird study reveals declining ecosystem resilience", "summary": "Human-driven changes to landscapes worldwide are \u2018thinning out\u2019 the ecological services supplied by wild birds, eroding the functions that support stable and resilient ecosystems.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "Professor Joseph A Tobias", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Environment", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1711133", "articleURL": "/news/articles/admin-services/enterprise/2025/imperial-spinout-raises-19-million-to-trial-innovative-way-of-controlling-harmful-insects/", "date": "19 November 2025", "year": "2025", "sortDate": "2025-11-19", "headline": "51勛圖厙 spinout raises $19 million to trial innovative way of controlling harmful insects", "summary": "Insects modified to be less fertile can reduce the size of populations in the wild able to spread human disease or to damage crops.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Ian Mundell", "profile": "", "homepage": "", "owningGroup": "51勛圖厙 News, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Enterprise|Entrepreneurship|Environment|Global Health", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },{ "contentID": "1708725", "articleURL": "/news/articles/natural-sciences/life-sciences/2025/the-power-of-africas-wildlife-in-dramatic-decline/", "date": "5 November 2025", "year": "2025", "sortDate": "2025-11-05", "headline": "The \u201Cpower\u201D of Africa\u2019s wildlife in dramatic decline", "summary": "Africa\u2019s ecosystems have lost over a third of the energy they once had, with far-reaching impacts on biodiversity and human livelihoods.", "image": "\"\"", "author": "Emily Govan", "profile": "", "homepage": "yes", "owningGroup": "Natural Sciences, Life Sciences", "topic": "Science, Science", "topicLabel": "Science", "storyType": "News Article", "tags": "Research", "ratio": "1.50", "visible": "yes" },]}