By Gwyneth Astles
BRINGING YOU THE LATEST NEWS & EVENTS FROM THE SCIENCE INDUSTRY
Call for papers: Solutions in Science Conference
The Scientific Committee for the Solutions in Science (SinS) conference and exhibition are inviting contributions for both Oral and Poster presentations for this year’s meeting. SinS is a dedicated meeting and networking for Scientists, analytical chemists, Laboratory managers and researchers from Industry, academia, and analytical interest groups. The aim of SinS is to discuss and share applications, methods, and analytical procedures.
Authors are encouraged to submit their papers for consideration as part of the SinS technical programme. The submission deadline is 15th March 2025.
The SinS Scientific Committee is currently seeking papers and posters on a range of subjects, including:
• Atmospheric analyses • Climate change • Clinical
• Concerning the environment • Data & AI • Developments in instrumentation • Food Testing • Fuel, fuel cells & energy • Functional materials • Future medicines • Green technologies • Health
• Non-targeted analyses • Omics
• Security & forensics • Sustainable agrochem, pharma & personal care • Water analyses
Submit an abstract here:
ilmt.co/PL/MKmb
The SinS conference and exhibition will take place in Brighton, UK, from 15th to 17th July 2025. Registration for this event will open soon. For further details follow the SinS page in LinkedIn or get in touch today.
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/4y6l 63895pr@reply-direct.com
Colon-dwelling Akkermansia muciniphila associated with good health feed on mucus.
A bacterium linked to good health, found in the lower gut, has been thoroughly examined and shown to have a highly specialised diet - breaking down sugars found in mucus.
Published in Nature Microbiology [1], the study offers the first comprehensive analysis of how Akkermansia muciniphila (AM) utilises O-linked sugars in the mucus lining the gastrointestinal tract. Researchers investigated 66 enzymes that AM employs to break down mucins, the key components of this protective layer.
£500,000 grant funds cutting-edge microscopy for dementia research
Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) has been awarded a £500,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation to acquire an ultrafast spinning disc confocal microscope, enhancing research into dementia and cognitive decline.
Led by Professor Roslyn Bill, the AIME team is investigating how brain cell membranes, particularly those containing the water channel aquaporin-4, influence the clearance of proteins linked to dementia. The new microscope, capable of capturing 2,000 frames per second with up to 1,000 laser beams, will enable unprecedented imaging of these rapid biological processes.
In collaboration with the University of Oxford, AIME is developing organ-on-a-chip models to study aquaporin-4 dynamics at the blood-brain barrier. These insights could pave the way for new strategies to slow cognitive decline.
Professor Bill, who previously secured a €2.2 million ERC Advanced Grant for aquaporin research, said: “This cutting-edge microscope will accelerate our understanding of dementia mechanisms and strengthen our partnership with Dr Mootaz Salman at Oxford.”
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, added: “The study of aquaporins at Aston has led to intriguing discoveries. We are pleased to support
Aquaporins in a cell membrane.
this vital research, which has the potential to bring significant benefits to individuals and society.”
The new microscope will be a first for the Midlands, providing a crucial resource for neuroscience research in the region.
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/3ybG 63881pr@reply-direct.com
Led by Dr Lucy Crouch at the University of Birmingham, the team used mucus from a pig model to demonstrate how AM enzymes can completely degrade mucin, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms behind microbial sugar metabolism in the gut.
Dr Crouch, a Sir Henry Dale Fellow at the University of Birmingham, explained: “This is the first time we have fully mapped how microbes break down O-linked sugars in the gut. It’s also the first instance where a set of enzymes has been used to completely degrade the glycan portion of mucin. These enzymes could help characterise the different glycans humans produce, which may serve as markers for disease.
“Glycans like these are also receptors for various pathogens and their toxins, including Shiga toxin. By modifying them, we might influence disease severity.
“We also know that AM proteins and outer membrane extracts can have beneficial effects on the host, such as supporting metabolism. Some of these proteins interact with host receptors and may help suppress immune responses. Because AM relies on mucus as a food source, it likely plays multiple roles in host-microbe interactions.
“AM is an important microbial marker of health - higher levels are associated with a well-functioning gut, whereas lower levels have been linked to inflammatory diseases and diabetes. It is also highly sensitive to dietary fibre intake.”
This study provides new insights into how beneficial gut bacteria sustain themselves, offering potential avenues for future research on gut health and disease prevention.
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/Q6wz
1. Bakshani, C.R., Ojuri, T.O., Pilgaard, B. et al. Carbohydrate-active enzymes from Akkermansia muciniphila break down mucin O-glycans to completion. Nat Microbiol 10, 585–598 (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-024-01911-7 63879pr@reply-direct.com
Decoding how gut bacteria feed on mucus sugars
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