"blue sky science is key to be prepared" *cough* MRC *cough*

Scientist's way of saying 'I ❤️ you' "I found this paper/preprint that made me think of your project." "I checked the mice/cells/plates already." "I just sent you the edits you requested." "I have a slide/diagram that will work for that." "I had that problem with [lab equipment], I have a fix."

Really proud to know Lia - she is an excellent clinician and brilliant computational biologist and wet lab scientist - a future leader in cancer biology and treatment #womenInScience

Happy international day of women and girls in science - more real change, less lip service please

Papers are increasingly challenging to navigate, not only because of the sheer volume of data they contain but also because of their structure. This is a delicate point of discussion that we, as a community, should address. I would love hearing your views on this. network.febs.org/posts/thinki...

It is absolutely outrageous that Moderna’s flu vaccine was met with a “refusal-to-file” even after their approved their protocol with FDA and carried out the trial as agreed. This vaccine works better in older adults than the current flu vaccines. apnews.com/article/mode...

Vinay Prasad of the FDA has broken with the usual approval process and refuses to review Moderna’s new flu shot. He claims that the proposed clinical trial, which would compare the new vaccine to an already approved one, “does not reflect the best-available standard of care”.

The AACR will provide childcare services for attendees during the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 (April 17-22; San Diego). Advance registration by March 27 is encouraged. Learn more: buff.ly/rwXrnw6 #AACR26

Marking #InternationalDayofWomenAndGirlsInScience2026, we interviewed several of our DPhil students & alumni to discuss what motivated them to pursue careers in cancer research. First up, hear from first-year Clinical Research Training Fellow Jess Caterson 👇 www.cancer.ox.ac.uk/news/interna...

Look at the replies and then understand why I yell at the nonsense initiatives the EU has pulled instead of reinforcing what we already have 🧪

Our second annual Oesophagogastric Cancer Centre of Excellence Symposium will examine how recent advancements in research and clinical practice are contributing to improved patient outcomes. ✅Open to @ox.ac.uk researchers 📆March 6th, 9am to 5pm Register 👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oesophagog...

Physics are hit worst, but it's not just physics. @ukri.org, it's not too late to reverse course. www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

so much clothing is marketed as "conversation starters" but as an introvert, i want "conversation enders." no more talking. let me go home.

Is UK science in jeopardy? Huge funding reforms by UKRI spark chaos and anxiety #AcademicSky www.nature.com/articles/d41...

"but he said overall, the money available to researchers was set to increase with "more emphasis on commercialisation". How many times... FUND CURIOSITY-DRIVEN SCIENCE... Then impact and commercialisation will come... 🙄😬😱

UKRI boss - we're really good at curiosity-driven research, so let's spend less money on it. The US has shot itself in the stomach scientifically. But the UK is needlessly shooting itself in the foot.

I am so excited that my son got his HPV vaccine recently - a true wonder of science and I am grateful to those who developed it

Paywalled but visible to many uni-based people Apparently... Much reduced MRC success rate for grants now in pipeline Reduced MRC future funding for 'applicant-led' research But 'life sciences remain a priority'.... Lot of room for more clarity (and recognition of effects on ECRs)

Update from MRC re funding

Helpful update into UKRI and research council funding changes from Zoe Kleinman @zsk.bsky.social But please more focus on 2 things... 1) Immediate effects (eg funding decisions expected in March) 2) Likely disproportionate effects on early career scientists www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"authors also express frustration at the amount of work expected for a single publishable unit, a concern we share (while humbly noting that it may not be held by the same authors when they serve as reviewers of other work)" <-THAT www.nature.com/articles/s41... ht @ritastrack.bsky.social

‘We have a world-leading research base...but we’re about to throw it away.’ @oxfordphysics.bsky.social's Prof Chris Lintott responds to plans to cut University funding for astronomy and physics ⬇️

Stormzy is doing more good in society than most politicians: Stormzy calls reading a ‘superpower’ as he backs accessible books campaign | Books | The Guardian share.google/H1oBC4FgkptT...

Aid cuts have stretched charities thin, but communities facing droughts, floods + wildfires can’t give up. Your monthly gift keeps vital work going. Sign up to give a free regular gift in February and get a limited‑edition tote designed by Amelia. Join us today → bit.ly/4qfycqG

I am sorry. We all knew the three buckets were coming. We are all prepared for a shift in priority. But this message does nothing for all the UK scientists dependent on project grant funding. It doesn’t actually give any information www.ukri.org/news/open-le...

Really interesting study!

Hot off the press - a letter from the Exec Chair of @ukri.org explaining his plans and in particular the financial position of STFC. It notes curiosity driven research is protected and will make up around half of UKRI spend over the coming period www.ukri.org/news/open-le...

It's also absolutely devastating to observe the UK being taken down a Trumpian path in yet one more context. We all were abhorred by news of slashed NIH study sections. And now the same is being done to us...by a "Labour" government.

This is an absolute outrage that should be discussed as widely as possible. I expect that this failing government will try and use the MRC to divert funding from academic research into commercial enterprises, killing UK research in the process.

We need to be shouting about the effects of this on junior researchers from the roofs, writing to our MPs. We are risking a "missing generation" of researchers.

At least the physicists are standing up for themselves. Still waiting for the senior leaders of biological sciences to say anything at all about MRC/BBSRC actions.

Today's blog from the Oxford Sausage is about the Rumble Museum at Cheney School: theoxfordsausage.com/at-the-rumbl...

Snowdrops!

Day 31 and done (thank you and goodnight) - runthemonthme.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/...

I think it's possible to have too many hallmarks

This poster is outside my little lab. There is nothing else like it. Please support this artist! @redpenblackpen.bsky.social

The LFS UK 2025 conference took place last September, updating on studies from across the country, including MILI. Visit LFS UK 2025 to see the various presentations and update on the MILI trial tinyurl.com/d2dfm36x #TP53 #LiFraumeniSyndrome #LFS @oncology.ox.ac.uk @oxfordcancer.bsky.social

Curiosity-driven research allocation will remain flat over the four years (which effectively is a funding cut) while spending on government priorities, innovation and cross-cutting areas would rise. Result = MRC will currently not accept new project grants. Not good

hard times in UK for research sector as MRC have announced a funding pause in light of the science secretary announcing an overhaul of how the agency would divide its budget which will dramatically change research....🧪🧵

Has the MRC research funding ‘pause’ been covered by any major news network? It feels like it should be a major news story

Board of Peace - Season 1

What you're hearing lines up completely with my sources too Ian - although I heard they'd be announcing the restart in the Spring, which is subtly different! As someone with a grant currently under consideration I'm absolutely furious at my wasted time - not to mention that of the reviewers/panel

I'm seeing relatively little chatter or outcry about what is happening at the MRC, the UK's biomedical research funder. Before Christmas MRC paused the acceptance of many of its grants, including the standard applicant-led research grant. There has been no public information on what is happening 🧵

Bbsrc and mrc grant apps paused until future notice

Has the MRC made a public statement yet

Already signed up!

We are delighted to announce that @mitosrus.bsky.social from @cruk-si.bsky.social @glasgow.ac.uk has been awarded the 2026 Hooke Medal You can read about Stephen's work on mitochondria, cell death and cancer here: bscb.org/hooke-medal-...

Calling all members of the Oxford Cancer Network! A reminder that our Annual Symposium, supported by the CRUK Oxford Centre, is open for registration! When: 31st March Where: @oxfordmathematics.bsky.social Abstracts and register by: 3rd March More 👇 crukcentre.cancer.ox.ac.uk/about/CRUK_o...

Cost of being female lead/corresponding author in biomedical sciences: "[T]he median amount of time spent under review is 7.4%–14.6% longer for female-authored articles than for male-authored articles" even in disciplines where women well-represented. #AcademicSky journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...

🥧 The super‑rich are at Davos carving up the world, and leaving the rest of us with crumbs. The 12 richest people in the world now have more wealth than the poorest 4 billion. So, we popped into @oxfamgb.bsky.social's pie shop, where everyone gets a fair slice, to talk about a #WealthTax.