Selina Wray
@selinawray.bsky.social
Prof of Molecular Neuroscience
UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
Alzheimer’s disease & stem cell models
Barnsley lass
UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
Alzheimer’s disease & stem cell models
Barnsley lass
Reposted by Selina Wray
These cuts to physics research will be a disaster for UK scientists – and for our standing in the world | Jon Butterworth
These cuts to physics research will be a disaster for UK scientists – and for our standing in the world | Jon Butterworth
If plans by the UK’s science funding body go ahead, we won’t be able to benefit from Britain’s membership of Cern and other large international projects, says Jon Butterworth, professor of physics at University College London
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:50 AM
These cuts to physics research will be a disaster for UK scientists – and for our standing in the world | Jon Butterworth
Reposted by Selina Wray
Undergrads seeking summer research experience in gene or cell therapy: there's a *paid opportunity* from @bsgct.bsky.social! Please apply before 27th Feb. Please see bsgct.org/undergraduate/ for details.
Please repost to help spread the word - thanks!
Please repost to help spread the word - thanks!
February 15, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Undergrads seeking summer research experience in gene or cell therapy: there's a *paid opportunity* from @bsgct.bsky.social! Please apply before 27th Feb. Please see bsgct.org/undergraduate/ for details.
Please repost to help spread the word - thanks!
Please repost to help spread the word - thanks!
Reposted by Selina Wray
Happy Valentine’s Day, from us to you. Tag your exes. Xoxox
February 14, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Happy Valentine’s Day, from us to you. Tag your exes. Xoxox
Reposted by Selina Wray
Reposted by Selina Wray
Lovely evening at the British Museum celebrating @ucl.ac.uk 200th birthday with friends old and new! @adamrutherford.bsky.social @bbcmaryam.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Lovely evening at the British Museum celebrating @ucl.ac.uk 200th birthday with friends old and new! @adamrutherford.bsky.social @bbcmaryam.bsky.social
Happy birthday UCL! 🎉
February 11, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Happy birthday UCL! 🎉
Reposted by Selina Wray
I don't know how many people see this when they look at trees during the winter, but mistletoe always reminds me of amyloid plaques - mistletoe is a parasite and each 'plaque' can vary in size. This is how I think of the 3D structure of amyloid plaques in the brain
February 10, 2026 at 5:04 PM
I don't know how many people see this when they look at trees during the winter, but mistletoe always reminds me of amyloid plaques - mistletoe is a parasite and each 'plaque' can vary in size. This is how I think of the 3D structure of amyloid plaques in the brain
Reposted by Selina Wray
Exciting conference alert! The 93rd Biochemical Society Harden Conference will be on "Endosomal-lysosomal network dysfunction in neurodegeneration" on the South coast of England (1st to 4th of September 2026). Lots of speaker slots available from submitted abstracts so do come and join us!
February 6, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Exciting conference alert! The 93rd Biochemical Society Harden Conference will be on "Endosomal-lysosomal network dysfunction in neurodegeneration" on the South coast of England (1st to 4th of September 2026). Lots of speaker slots available from submitted abstracts so do come and join us!
Very excited for this excellent meeting - come join us!
Exciting conference alert! The 93rd Biochemical Society Harden Conference will be on "Endosomal-lysosomal network dysfunction in neurodegeneration" on the South coast of England (1st to 4th of September 2026). Lots of speaker slots available from submitted abstracts so do come and join us!
February 6, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Very excited for this excellent meeting - come join us!
Reposted by Selina Wray
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...
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...
UK’s £8bn research fund faces “hard decisions” as it pauses new grants
UKRI boss Ian Chapman said it had been told by the government to
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 12:54 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Selina Wray
I watched much of Ian Chapman's (Head of @ukri.org) appearance this morning at @ukparliament.parliament.uk Science, Innovation and Technology Committee..
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
February 3, 2026 at 1:57 PM
I watched much of Ian Chapman's (Head of @ukri.org) appearance this morning at @ukparliament.parliament.uk Science, Innovation and Technology Committee..
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
Reposted by Selina Wray
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
I tried that video going round where you swirl lemon curd through some fat free yoghurt, stick some digestives in and leave it in the fridge overnight and it turns into a sort of fake (healthier?) cheesecake and it’s really quite delicious!
February 1, 2026 at 6:57 PM
I tried that video going round where you swirl lemon curd through some fat free yoghurt, stick some digestives in and leave it in the fridge overnight and it turns into a sort of fake (healthier?) cheesecake and it’s really quite delicious!
The pause of response mode funding will have a huge impact on ECRs who are not yet fellowship ready.When researchers leave academia they rarely return. Clarity on when RM will reopen is urgently needed & transitions to the new model need to avoid investment gaps that disproportionally affect ECRs
Open letter to the R&I community by @ukri.org CEO Ian Chapman:
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 6:31 PM
The pause of response mode funding will have a huge impact on ECRs who are not yet fellowship ready.When researchers leave academia they rarely return. Clarity on when RM will reopen is urgently needed & transitions to the new model need to avoid investment gaps that disproportionally affect ECRs
Reposted by Selina Wray
Congratulations to Giampietro Schiavo on receiving the 2026 Basic Science Life Achievement Award of the International Neurotoxin Association. This award recognises the contributions of the Schiavo Lab. to the understanding of the mechanism of action of botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins.
January 26, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Congratulations to Giampietro Schiavo on receiving the 2026 Basic Science Life Achievement Award of the International Neurotoxin Association. This award recognises the contributions of the Schiavo Lab. to the understanding of the mechanism of action of botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins.
Reposted by Selina Wray
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.
February 1, 2026 at 9:41 AM
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.
Reposted by Selina Wray
Memory dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to impairment in how the brain replays our recent experiences while we are resting, according to a new study in mice led by Dr Sarah Shipley @shipleysj.bsky.social and Prof Caswell Barry @caswell.bsky.social @ucllifesciences.bsky.social
How the brain's 'memory replay' goes wrong in Alzheimer's disease
Memory dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to impairment in how the brain replays our recent experiences while we are resting, according to a new study in mice by UCL scientists.
www.ucl.ac.uk
January 30, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Memory dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to impairment in how the brain replays our recent experiences while we are resting, according to a new study in mice led by Dr Sarah Shipley @shipleysj.bsky.social and Prof Caswell Barry @caswell.bsky.social @ucllifesciences.bsky.social
Reposted by Selina Wray
Our Best Models Working Group can offer advice on the use of a range of model systems.
The next in our series highlighting our diverse expertise features Dr Andrew Wood, whose lab uses genome editing and targeted protein degradation to study genetic disease using cell lines, organoids, and mice.
The next in our series highlighting our diverse expertise features Dr Andrew Wood, whose lab uses genome editing and targeted protein degradation to study genetic disease using cell lines, organoids, and mice.
January 30, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Our Best Models Working Group can offer advice on the use of a range of model systems.
The next in our series highlighting our diverse expertise features Dr Andrew Wood, whose lab uses genome editing and targeted protein degradation to study genetic disease using cell lines, organoids, and mice.
The next in our series highlighting our diverse expertise features Dr Andrew Wood, whose lab uses genome editing and targeted protein degradation to study genetic disease using cell lines, organoids, and mice.
Reposted by Selina Wray
Startling that this is being broadcast in the absence of any public communications by @ukri.org
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Startling that this is being broadcast in the absence of any public communications by @ukri.org
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Selina Wray
The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
January 30, 2026 at 7:59 AM
The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Reposted by Selina Wray
Just one week left to register for the #ARUKconf! With a full, varied programme, multiple networking events, and world-renowned researchers speaking, our biggest conference yet is not one to miss.
Register by midday 8 Feb (in-person)/15 Feb (online): www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/for...
Register by midday 8 Feb (in-person)/15 Feb (online): www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/for...
January 29, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Just one week left to register for the #ARUKconf! With a full, varied programme, multiple networking events, and world-renowned researchers speaking, our biggest conference yet is not one to miss.
Register by midday 8 Feb (in-person)/15 Feb (online): www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/for...
Register by midday 8 Feb (in-person)/15 Feb (online): www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/for...
Reposted by Selina Wray
Our Science Director Roger Highfield @rogerhighfield.bsky.social reflects on how reimagining public engagement can help to reverse declining public confidence in science: https://bit.ly/4rj4EZQ?
Science must reimagine public engagement in era of uncertainty - Research Professional News
Our best defence against AI and algorithm overload is truly understanding science, writes Roger Highfield
bit.ly
January 29, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Our Science Director Roger Highfield @rogerhighfield.bsky.social reflects on how reimagining public engagement can help to reverse declining public confidence in science: https://bit.ly/4rj4EZQ?