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babrahaminst.bsky.social
Babraham Institute
@babrahaminst.bsky.social
1.5K followers 250 following 160 posts
We make discoveries that help us understand human biology and improve lifelong health. Leaders in #AgeingResearch and cell biology.
Research themes in #Epigenetics, #Immunology and #Signalling
📌 Cambridge, UK
Funded by UKRI-BBSRC
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babrahaminst.bsky.social
Or watch one of our videos covering daily visual checks, cage cleaning, health checks, and enrichment provision: www.babraham.ac.uk/our-research...
Labelled black and white thumbnails of four video clips with titles: Cage cleaning, daily visual checks to ensure mouse welfare, Enrichment provision, Health checking our mice.
October 23, 2025 at 9:57 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
If you’re interested in seeing how we care for the mice, you can take a virtual tour of our animal facility: www.babraham.ac.uk/our-research...
Text reads: Take a 360 degree tour of our animal facility. Step 1: Visit. Step 2: Pick your route/area of interest. Step 3: Explore!
October 23, 2025 at 9:57 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
It’s #AnimalStats day in the UK today. You can see our animal stats at any time on our website, as well as finding out how and why we use mice in our research.
www.babraham.ac.uk/our-research...
The graph title is: 2020-2024 Animal Use Statistics: Procedures & Severity The graphic shows a horizontal bar chart showing the breakdown of severity numbers for each year from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, a total of 30,389 procedures were carried out, with 23,257 being sub-threshold, 6,581 being mild, 516 being moderate and 35 being severe. For previous years the data is as follows: In 2023, a total of 33,364 procedures were carried out, with 25,585 being sub-threshold, 7,349 being mild, 375 being moderate and 55 being severe. In 2022, a total of 39,157 procedures were carried out, with 4,069 being sub-threshold, 34,651 being mild, 389 being moderate and 48 being severe. In 2021, a total of 40,750 procedures were carried out, with 4,008 being sub-threshold, 36,093 being mild, 514 being moderate and 135 being severe. In 2020, a total of 48,599 procedures were carried out, with 7,613 being sub-threshold, 40,223 being mild, 664 being moderate and 99 being severe.
October 23, 2025 at 9:57 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
Interested in #StemCell research and technologies? Then hopefully this pairing of events is already marked in your calendar for February 2026. If not, take a longer look!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/frontiers-...
Text reads: Frontiers in stem cell innovations, 5 & 6 February 2026 Wellcome Genome Campus and Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK Partnered with the Annual World Organoid and Organ-on-a-chip Research Day+ (WORD+) Speakers Lyle Armstrong - Newcastle University, Bilada Bilican - AstraZeneca, Adriana Buskin - Newcastle University, Maria Christophorou - Babraham Institute, Davide Danovi - Migration Biotherapeutics, Fiona Ducotterd - Alzheimers Research UK & UCL, Mark Kotter - Cambridge Stem Cell Institute & bit.bio, Nick Ktistakis - Babraham Institute, Marzena Kurzawa-Akanbi - Newcastle University, Majlinda Lako - Newcastle University, Rick Livesey - Talisman Therapeutics & UCL, Matteo Martufi - GSK, Fiona Menzies - Eli Lilly & Co, Peter Rugg-Gunn - Babraham Institute, Stefan Schoenfelder - Babraham Institute,
October 16, 2025 at 3:38 PM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
NEWS | A new multi-omics method enabling the profiling of multiple histone modifications and gene expression in single cells, and the researchers behind it, have been recognised with two awards. Congrats to the Rugg-Gunn lab and everyone involved!

www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/09...

#epigenetics
Text reads: News - Prizes for team behind game-changing multi-omics method to decode gene regulation. Image shows Dr Yang Wang (left) and Dr Peter Rugg-Gunn (right) shown over a data analysis plot from the scMTR-seq technique.
September 30, 2025 at 10:33 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
NEWS | Work just published by the Corcoran lab has described a mechanism estimated to be responsible for shaping the generation of up to half of all antibodies.

www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/09/institute-immunologists-new-process-antibody-diversity

@annecorcoran.bsky.social
Text reads: News - Institute immunologists uncover new process important for antibody diversity. Image shows a computer illustration of antibodies, showing the heavy chain (red) and the light chain (blue).
September 8, 2025 at 8:31 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
NEWS | We're delighted to welcome @diniscalado.bsky.social to the Institute as a senior group leader in our #immunology programme!

The Calado lab works at the interface of immunity, #cancer, and #ageing. Learn more: www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/09...
Text reads: News: Institute welcomes Dr Dinis Calado as a senior group leader in the Immunology programme. Main image (left) shows Dinis Calado. Two images on the right are 3D confocal images of mouse bone marrow showing plasma cells (antibody producing cells; in red), endomucin⁺ vasculature (green), immunoglobulin (white), and cell nuclei stained with DAPI (blue). Credit: Abdouramane Camara, Immunity & Cancer Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute.
September 1, 2025 at 9:20 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
Exciting news for @ukproteostasis.bsky.social and for #proteostasis researchers across the UK! Funding from BBSRC will support the development of the UK Proteostasis network, including:
- connecting & building the community to accelerate research
- supporting ECRs

www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/07...
Abstract background representing network connections. Text reads: News - UK Proteostasis Network receives BBSRC Network Grant.
July 31, 2025 at 9:23 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
✋Hands up who loves #FlowCytometry? Then enjoy learning about how our annual Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium is becoming an unmissable event (and note the dates for 2026).

www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/07...
Image shows four parallel practical workshop sessions taking place in the Babraham Institute’s Flow Cytometry facility during the Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium. Text reads: News - Institute’s Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium provides a winning blend of insights and interaction.
July 30, 2025 at 12:58 PM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
BLOG | We had the pleasure of hosting Tomasz, a PhD student from the University of Leeds as a PIPS placement. In our latest blog article he describes how his exposure to the world of tech transfer has made him look at his research in a different way.

www.babraham.ac.uk/blog/Tomasz-...
Photo of Tomasz on a stylised background. Text reads: Blog: A scientist in the business world - my PIPS placement with the Knowledge Exchange team. Article written by Tomasz Drobkiewicz, PhD student, University of Leeds.
July 30, 2025 at 10:35 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
We were honoured to host and hear from Tama Braithwaite-Westoby, Māori Engagement Advisor)/Tautotoro @malaghan.bsky.social for his seminar today: Innovating for Impact: Translating Immunology into Equitable Therapies for all in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dr Theresa Pankhurst, Research Fellow at the Babraham Institute with Dr Tama Braithwaite-Westoby, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research. Title slide from Tama's presentation: Innovating for Impact: Translating Immunology into Equitable Therapies for all in Aotearoa New Zealand. The karakia (chant or blessing) gifted to the Malaghan Institute, shown in Māori on the left with the English translation on the right: The sun rises, sends its rays into the sky From beyond the skyline The glow sent over the peaks on the sea Casting a glow on the peaks inland at Pukehinua Sending the spring's flow down Waikoukou Stay on your path (the sun), rise up, reach your height All darkness given light Things unknown can be understood The light can be found where? It is here. It is Closing slide from the presentation with text in Māori (top) and with English translation below: Together let's harness the power of the immune system, tackle health equity challenges and ultimately save lives.
July 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
Learn more about #AnimalResearch: step inside and explore what a mouse facility looks like and how it operates with our 360 virtual tour. More information about how and why we use mice in research on our website too.
www.babraham.ac.uk/our-research...
July 22, 2025 at 8:50 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
Happy #MicroscopyMonday! This video, captured by Berta in the @trayon.bsky.social lab in collaboration with our Imaging facility, shows a mouse embryo dividing. This video allows researchers to visualise the events that happen before implantation at an early stage of development.
July 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
AWARD NEWS | Following Simon's award for Contribution to Research in the #PapinPrizes, our article covers just a slice of Simon's impact on the Institute's research, on #bioinformatics and on empowering researchers across the world by demystifying data analysis.

www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/07...
Dr Simon Andrews, Head of Bioinformatics at the Babraham Institute, holding a certificate and an award for the 2025 Papin Prize for Contribution to Research. Image courtesy of The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy. Photography by Alex Wilkinson Media.
July 11, 2025 at 9:47 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
NEWS | Thanks to BBSRC investment #MassSpectrometry capabilities at the Institute have been boosted by new high-throughput instrument, the Thermo Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer.
www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/07...
The Thermo Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer, showing the sample introduction point for mass spectrometry analysis. Text reads: News - Mass spectrometry capabilities boosted by new high-throughput instrument.
July 9, 2025 at 11:45 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
This bowl of skittles means only one thing - our annual Spectral #FlowCytometry Symposium starts today! Missed out? Our facility offers training all year round: www.babraham.ac.uk/science-faci...
A glass bowl full of skittles packets
July 9, 2025 at 7:58 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
@drsimoncook.bsky.social is speaking at the #proteostasis session at #SEBconference this morning.

In our feature, he describes how he's an "evangelist for discovery research" and the pipeline it feeds, and the Institute's growing strength in proteostasis.

www.babraham.ac.uk/blog/2025/05...
Headshot of Simon Cook set over a background of shelves filled with glass lab bottles. Text reads: Adapting to change and challenge. Quote reads: When you stop doing discovery bioscience, the pipeline stops. So I remain an evangelist for discovery research."
July 9, 2025 at 7:44 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
At #SEBconference today, @delladavid-lab.bsky.social presented the group's research on understanding #ageing and protein aggregration. Della also played a key role in establishing the @ukproteostasis.bsky.social. She speaks about both themes in this feature.

www.babraham.ac.uk/blog/2025/05...
Photo of Della David against an abstract background. Text reads: The rist and rise of proteostasis, with a quote by Della: "We are at a criticial moment to bring the community together and realise its potential."
July 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
This #MicroscopyMonday shows an image from research published last week. The images are of uveal melanoma cells showing the accumulation of lipid droplets in the absence of CDS2 (right), compared with cells with functional CDS2 (left). Lipid droplets are stained green with BODIPY™ 493/503.
Images show uveal melanoma cells showing the accumulation of lipid droplets in the absence of CDS2 (right), compared with cells with functional CDS2 (left). Lipid droplets are stained green with BODIPY™ 493/503. Image from Chan et al., Nature Genetics.
July 7, 2025 at 11:25 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
NEWS: Research just published by scientists from the @sangerinstitute.bsky.social and collaborators, including cell signalling experts at the Institute, has identified a new drug target to treat an aggressive eye cancer, and possibly other cancers too.
‬
www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/07...
Text reads: News - Signalling pathway research helps discover a new drug target for aggressive eye cancer. Images show uveal melanoma cells showing the accumulation of lipid droplets in the absence of CDS2 (right), compared with cells with functional CDS2 (left). Lipid droplets are stained green. Image from Chen et al., Nature Genetics.
July 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
Institute researchers, spanning research groups and facilities, contributed foundational knowledge about APDS, PI3-Kinase signalling and methodology central to the characterisation of APDS and the development of treatments.

www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/06...
Text reads: News: First in-patient treatment received for life-threatening immunodeficiency syndrome. Images: Trio of images on a blue background. Left: the protein structure of PI3-Kinase delta in complex with a regulatory subunit and a bound inhibitor. Main image: Mary and her father Jimmy Catchpole with Dr Anita Chandra at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Right: Leniolisib (Joenja). Middle and right image: both by Mel Yeneralski Media Studio. Copyright Cambridge University Hospitals.
June 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
We were honoured to receive the Research Culture in Research Management award at #ARMA2025 last week for the Institute’s Culture Consultation project to embed team science in our work. Congratulations to all teams recognised by the awards: #ResearchCulture #Advocacy #Innovation‬ #Management
ARMA certificate and awards for Research Culture in Research Management photographed outside the Babraham Institute lab building. Certificate text reads: The Research Culture in Research Management award celebrates a project or initiative that has made a significant and positive impact to research culture, identifying challenges and opportunities and their resolution and enhancing the current culture across their organisation, sector or research ecosystem. Winner: The Institute Culture Consultation, Babraham Institute. Perspex award: visible text reads: ARMA Award for Research Culture in Research Management. The Institute Culture Consultation, Babraham Institute. The Institute’s Grants Officer, Jayashree Chakraborty and Project Manager, Stephen Barrett, with the award at ARMA's 2025 conference.
June 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
It's #BOARD25. Current research projects at the Institute are using mice to understand:
🧬 how what we eat affects the activity of our genes
💊 the increased susceptibility to disease with age
⌛how biological timing is encoded in the genome

Learn more: www.babraham.ac.uk/our-research...
June 3, 2025 at 12:35 PM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
This #MicroscopyMonday comes to you from behind the scenes where Aurora, PhD student in the McGough lab, is imaging fly guts to look at proliferating cells! @ianmcgough.bsky.social‬
Aurora, with black hair in a ponytail, sits at a large computer screen with microscopy images of a fly gut in red in front of her.
June 2, 2025 at 10:12 AM
babrahaminst.bsky.social
Yesterday, our postdoc Francesca Rossi gave a seminar on the complex interplay of RNA-binding proteins, epigenetics & metabolism in immune cells at Sapienza’s School for Advanced Studies (SSAS) in Rome, where she was enrolled during her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD at Sapienza University #ImmunoSky
Francesca in a blue suit next to the Italian, EU and University flag with her presentation on a display screen behind her
May 30, 2025 at 9:24 AM