News and events

Survey: The next big things in bioscienceNew

Survey: The next big things in bioscience - 17 May 2013. iStockphoto

As part of BBSRC's long-term strategic planning, we are seeking your views on the research areas and technological developments which will be most exciting and important in bioscience over the next 5-10 years.

Ideas put forward through this exercise will be discussed by members of BBSRC's governing Council and wider strategic advisory network as part of a workshop to be held at the beginning of June 2013. Outcomes will help inform BBSRC's long-term planning, including input to future Government Spending Reviews…

Malaria parasites manipulate mosquitoes

Scientists will attempt to find out how malaria parasites manipulate their mosquito hosts after discovering that smell could be a major factor. In a study published in PLOS ONE today, a team of researchers led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine show for the first time that female mosquitoes infected with malaria parasites are significantly more attracted to human odour than uninfected mosquitoes. This was demonstrated in a laboratory setting in which infected female Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto mosquitoes were attracted to human odours…

An international vision for wheat improvement

By 2050, a 60% increase in wheat production will be needed to meet the demand of a growing population. The Wheat Initiative, an international consortium gathering public institutions and private companies, was created as part of the 2011 action plan of the G20 Agricultural Ministries to coordinate global wheat research and participate to global food security. On May 15, 2013, the Wheat Initiative issues its vision document paving the way for its actions. Wheat is a major staple crop worldwide but its production has not reached demand in 10 of the 15 past years…