Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford
Catalysing discovery by bringing the physical sciences into the cell.
- Delighted to share our review on how those malaria parasites get into our blood cells and how we might stop them. rdcu.be/eGnUl
- Congratulations to Mootaz Salman on receiving the Bayliss–Starling Prize Lecture 2025 from The Physiological Society! Read more 👉 kavli.web.ox.ac.uk/article/moot...
- #MeetTheResearcher We’re pleased to introduce Amy Roberts this week from the Seiradake Group. Amy is a #DPhil candidate currently in her second year of study. Her research is generously supported by the Margaret Pelly-Carys Bannister Scholarship from Somerville College.
- Amy’s work focuses on the structure and function of cell adhesion molecules involved in brain development. She aims to link molecular structure to biological function and physiological roles.
- By combining in vitro, in cellulo, and in vivoapproaches within the MIGRATE collaboration (migrate.web.ox.ac.uk/home), she hopes to contribute to our understanding of how the brain builds a regulated and interconnected network.
- #KavliOxford's August publications are now out! lnkd.in/eC4tq9Te
- #MeetTheResearcher Happy to introduce Chitra Joshi this week! Chitra is a postdoc researcher in the Newstead Group working on the structural basis of metabolite and drug transport through solute carrier proteins (SLCs) in humans.
- Chitra joined the group in 2022 as a postdoctoral researcher funded by Wellcome Trust. Her research projects focus on the structural characterization of human solute carriers (SLCs) particularly SLCO2A1 (SLC21A2; prostaglandin uptake) and SLC46A1 (PCFT; proton-coupled folate transporter).
- Prostaglandins (PGs) are hormone-like lipid compounds involved in inflammation, pain and fever. The wide range of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) available to treat inflammation and pain, target prostaglandin synthase enzyme.
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- #MeetTheResearcher Introducing Tamiris Borges da Silva this week from the Becker Lab. Tamiris is a postdoctoral researcher developing induced human pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models and reporter lines to study human cerebellar development.
- Her research focuses on the use of in vitro models—specifically cerebellar organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells—to study the development of the human cerebellum.
- The cerebellum is primarily associated with motor coordination, motor learning, balance and posture, but it has also been increasingly linked to cognitive and emotional processing.
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- #TuesdayReads: Becky Carlyle et al develop and validate an ELISA to measure PKM in cerebrospinal fluid—linking elevated levels to accelerated cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s and highlighting PKM as a potential early biomarker. 🔗 www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
- #TuesdayReads: Struwe Group et al reveal the structure of a key Trypanosoma cruzi enzyme, TcPOP, and show its potential as a Chagas disease vaccine target through invasion-blocking immune responses. 🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41... #ChagasDisease #VaccineResearch #CryoEM #ParasiteBiology
- Carol Robinson on Desert Island Discs - have a listen friends: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... An inspirational scientist & friend. An example of combining scientific excellence, courage, hard work and really importantly; kindness. (Yes I’m biased, but it’s true nevertheless) @kavlioxford.bsky.social
- 🔬 #MeetTheResearcher This week we’re spotlighting Jana Joha, a DPhil candidate in the Seiradake Group, who is investigating the molecular mechanisms behind a rare autoimmune condition: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) – an ANCA-associated vasculitis.
- Jana is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind GPA, which is an ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).
- A key feature of the disease is the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) against proteinase 3 (PR3), a serine protease expressed on the surface of neutrophils.
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- 🎧 Professor Dame Carol Robinson joins BBCRadio4’s Desert Island Discs to reflect on her life and career through eight memorable tracks. From Pfizer at 16 to Professorship at Oxford. 📻 Listen from 10 Aug → www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... #DesertIslandDiscs #WomenInSTEM #MassSpec #KavliOxford
- #TuesdayReads: Kapanidis Group et al present a single-molecule approach to study DNAzymes—revealing functional diversity and uncovering performance differences masked in bulk measurements, with implications for biosensing. 🔗 pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
- #TuesdayReads: The Jagannath Group reviews the genetic and molecular workings of the circadian clock—highlighting how rhythm disruptions contribute to neurological disease and how targeting circadian mechanisms may offer new therapies. 🔗 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- #KavliOxford July publications are now out! Browse the full list here: kavli.web.ox.ac.uk/have-you-see...
- #MeetTheResearcher Meet Jonathan Dye from the Struwe Lab! Jonathan is a #DPhil candidate researching the integrated characterisation of Lassa fever humoral immunity.
- Jonathan's research explores the human antibody response to viral infections, with a focus on Lassa Fever. He is developing novel techniques for the isolation of Lassa-targeting B-cells and antibodies from the blood of convalescent patients.
- These antibodies are then characterised using a range of complimentary techniques, including viral neutralisation assays, surface plasmon resonance, dynamic mass photometry, and cryogenic electron microscopy.
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- #TuesdayReads: In a multi-institutional collaboration, the Stephen Tucker & Simon Newstead Groups help reveal the structure of THIK-1, offering insights into its role in #neuroinflammation and therapeutic potential. 🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41... #CryoEM #IonChannels #ALS #Alzheimers
- #TuesdayReads: Draper Group et al reveal how disease tolerance to malaria develops after just one infection—reprogramming T cell responses to reduce inflammation without compromising memory. rupress.org/jem/article/... #Malaria #Immunology #DiseaseTolerance #TCellResponse @kavlifoundation.org
- There’s still time to apply for this brilliant opportunity to work with Dominika Gruszka Applications close on 1 August.
- 🚨 The Gruszka Lab is hiring! We’re looking for a Researcher in Microscopy Image Analysis to join our team. 🔗 Know someone who might be interested? Share this post or tag them! 👉 Find out more and apply here: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DNU476/r... @mplsoxford.bsky.social @oxfordphysics.bsky.social
