Department of Biology, University of York

Scientists at a microscope in the Jack Birch Unit at the University of York studying cells infected with BK virus in the laboratory.

This World Kidney Day members of the Jack Birch Unit are doing all they can to fight back against BK virus infections. With support from amazing charities like Kidney Research UK, they’re working to prevent BK virus from damaging the urinary tract

@kidneyresearchuk.org #WorldKidneyDay

#job Are you looking to start a meaningful career in animal care & research support? @biologyatyork.bsky.social is hiring an Animal Technician (trainee). Apply by 24/03/2026 jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/anim...

What can biodiversity patterns during the Black Death tell us about our relationships with nature?

(hint: its not all bad!)

Read more in our new paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

🌏🧪🌐

Department of Biology - New PGT programmes for 2026 entry YouTube video by Department of Biology, University of York

Dr James Stockdale talks about our new one year PGT programmes with Bioenterprise!
Taking our strengths in biological sciences research and including bioenterprise teaching; our academics are passionate about the real-world impacts that research can have
youtube.com/shorts/Yrwhf...

Image of a cultured fruitfly neuron, microtubules are labelled in green, actin in magenta.

A new study from @exdrososcientia.bsky.social 's lab shows that GSK 3β is essential to maintain neuronal microtubules, offering clues for disorders like Alzheimer’s. #Neuroscience #Alzheimers #GSK3 #Microtubules #PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Cells that communicate may help hinder bladder cancer from spreading Researchers at University of York’s Jack Birch Unit have revealed how direct communication between cells can help maintain healthy human tissue - potentially paving the way for new treatments for blad...

Researchers at the Jack Birch Unit @biologyatyork.bsky.social @ybri-uoy.bsky.social revealed how direct communication between cells can help maintain healthy tissue, potentially paving the way for new bladder cancer treatments 🔬

Open access paper in Life Science Alliance doi.org/10.26508/lsa... 🔓 📄

GenerationReearch Summer placements - US deadline 20 Feb and UK deadline 27 Feb 2026 More details via the webpage (link in post)

#GenerationResearch 2026 Summer placements are currently open! Have you applied yet?

Check deadlines, eligibility, and how to apply via the website - bit.ly/4jWeHBO

How does molecular valency shape condensate assembly and function? We used the CO2-fixing organelle in algae—the pyrenoid—to find out… 🧵

Preprint here!:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

@cellarchlab.com @phaips.vd.st @biologyatyork.bsky.social
#Rubisco #PhaseSeparation #Condensates #Pyrenoid

We’re hiring a PDRA and a technician!
If you’re passionate about #parasites #genomes #condensates then this project is for you! Help us decode the role of nuclear architecture in gene expression regulation in #Leishmania alongside the @mottramlab.bsky.social @york.ac.uk @ybri-uoy.bsky.social

(2/2) @alexpaynedwyer.bsky.social @johninnescentre.bsky.social

Scientists uncover hidden ‘winter memory’ inside plants Scientists have developed a powerful new microscope that reveals, for the first time, how plants store a ‘memory’ of winter deep inside their cells.

(1/2) How can plants store a 'memory' of winter?
With a new technique called SlimVar, which can track microscopic single molecules moving inside plant roots, much deeper than traditional microscopes, researchers can now answer this.
www.york.ac.uk/news-and-eve...

Big shout-out to our PDRAs - Katy Davis, Justin Lau and Ben Willson - who presented posters at today’s event 👏 Special congratulations to Katy for winning the poster prize 🏆 Great research, great team, great result!
#ResearchLife #PDRA #PosterPrize #BlueskyScience @biologyatyork.bsky.social

#job Research Technician with Luke Alphey within @biologyatyork.bsky.social to develop piRNA-based antiviral effects in the mosquito Aedes aegypti to reduce harm caused by pest insects. Apply by 16/02/2026 jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/rese...

#job Research Technician with Faria & Mottram groups within @biologyatyork.bsky.social @ybri-uoy.bsky.social investigating the interplay between genome organisation, nuclear architecture & gene expression regulation in Leishmania. Apply by: 23/02/2026 jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/tech...

Plant discovery could lead to new ways of producing medicines Scientists have shown how plants produce powerful natural chemicals that could help in the production of new medicines in more environmentally friendly ways.

New research from @biologyatyork.bsky.social

"By understanding how plants make these substances, researchers aim to produce new and improved chemicals for medicines more quickly, cheaply and with less environmental impact" 🌱

Full #openaccess paper in WRRO eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/23... 🔓📄

INTERNAL job vacancy for a research technician with Rezk lab within @biologyatyork.bsky.social to define the range of forces that can cause physical, biochemical and cell fate changes in primary blood stem cells. Apply by 26/01/2026. jobs.york.ac.uk/internal/vac...

INTERNAL #job for a Technical Specialist with @lizrylott.bsky.social within CNAP in @biologyatyork.bsky.social investigating uptake of rare earth elements by Eucalyptus & model plant species from mine tailings & artificial media. Apply by 21/1/2026 jobs.york.ac.uk/internal/vac...

(2/2) Listen now on:
🔗Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
🔗Spotify open.spotify.com/show/47PqpLZ...

Photo of Mahmoud Metwally, surrounded by a green patterned template with the text Episode 1 Mahmoud Metwally, Biology Podcast, Phil Lang is not a scientist.

(1/2) Phil Lang is Not a Scientist - a podcast brought to you by Placements Coordinator Phil!

Phil chats with our amazing researchers to share the great research taking place here.

Episode 1 features Mahmoud Metwally, PhD student in Biomedicine.

Links to listen below...

We're excited to be part of the new Bio-Boost Industry Doctoral Landscape Award (IDLA) which is focused on harnessing the biological and biotechnological potential of wastewater treatment.

See the project areas available for the 2026/27 entry cohort www.york.ac.uk/environment-...

Congratulations Reyme and Imran! (@imrsankhan.bsky.social)

I chatted with @philiprlang.bsky.social on his podcast about how a virus might be involved in bladder cancer. Since "Phil Lang is Not a Scientist", we made this really accessible. If you're interested in how small sneaky DNA viruses might contribute to the origins of cancers, give it a listen.

sun shining on campus west

christmas tree in k atrium ,biology

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a restful break, from all of us here at @biologyatyork.bsky.social

We look forward to seeing what 2026 brings!

Plant BioDesign is one of the UKRI funded Engineering Biology Doctoral Focal Awards! PhD projects will tackle challenges of clean growth, resilient food and environmental sustainability by engineering plant systems.
Recruitment deadline Jan 19th:
www.york.ac.uk/biology/stud...

Photo of researcher using a piece of equipment

Want to stay connected with the University of York's research community?

Sign up for the Research Highlights newsletter for a curated mix of news, events, and success stories delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up www.york.ac.uk/research/res...

Want to predict pandemics, investigate evolving parasites in the Amazon, or revolutionise climate-resilient crops? Check out our fully-funded PhD projects starting 2026.
djeffares.github.io/phd.html @glycojones.bsky.social @york.ac.uk @biologyatyork.bsky.social @katherinedenby.bsky.social

"We think this research is incredibly exciting because it suggests that bladder cancer might be preventable"

#openaccess paper in @aaas.org Science Advances - see thread below from @drsimonbaker.bsky.social @biologyatyork.bsky.social @ybri-uoy.bsky.social 🔓 📄

shining guest ant male

New research by Biology's Elva Robinson is featured on the Biological Recording Company's YouTube channel: youtu.be/tPpx4U1wL18

Check out the video to learn about the amazing lives of the secretive Shining Guest Ants!

Decorated biscuits

Decorated biscuits

Decorated biscuits

Winning team sat around the table with their decorated biscuits

🧬Baking and Biology🍪
Congratulations to York students in the Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership who won the Great BioYorkshire Bake-off at the first year residential! A great way for the students from the @yorkshirebiodtp.bsky.social Universities to come together.

Very excited to advertise 15 plant engineering biology PhD projects @biologyatyork.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social @slcuplants.bsky.social @johninnescentre.bsky.social & University of Bristol. 🪴 🥬 🔧 🧬 Come join this new Plant BioDesign community!

www.findaphd.com/phds/?Keywor...