Barral Lab
@barrallab.bsky.social
Immunology lab at King’s College London and The Francis Crick Institute
#Immunology #Lipids #NKT #MAIT
#Immunology #Lipids #NKT #MAIT
Pinned
Barral Lab
@barrallab.bsky.social
· Nov 24
IFN-γ-dependent regulation of intestinal epithelial homeostasis by NKT cells
The crosstalk between immune and epithelial cells is vital to maintain intestinal
homeostasis. Lebrusant-Fernandez et al. identify NKT cells in the small intestine
as key regulators of epithelial biol...
www.cell.com
Our first 🦋 post! Very happy to share our latest paper just out in Cell Reports, exploring the crosstalk between immune and epithelial cells in the gut. Check it out!
@vivianlilab.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
@vivianlilab.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Reposted by Barral Lab
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.
Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate).
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
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
February 1, 2026 at 4:10 PM
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.
Reposted by Barral Lab
Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate).
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
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 31, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate).
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Reposted by Barral Lab
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...
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 6:45 PM
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...
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reposted by Barral Lab
More cheery news from UKRI
'MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates'
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
'MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates'
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 2:02 PM
More cheery news from UKRI
'MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates'
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
'MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates'
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Barral Lab
Update on UKRI funding situation.
Summary: it is mostly bad news, and with significant uncertainties around new funding model.
Summary: it is mostly bad news, and with significant uncertainties around new funding model.
‘Grave’ concerns over applicant-led funds at UK research councils.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
January 28, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Update on UKRI funding situation.
Summary: it is mostly bad news, and with significant uncertainties around new funding model.
Summary: it is mostly bad news, and with significant uncertainties around new funding model.
Reposted by Barral Lab
Has the MRC research funding ‘pause’ been covered by any major news network?
It feels like it should be a major news story
It feels like it should be a major news story
January 28, 2026 at 6:19 AM
Has the MRC research funding ‘pause’ been covered by any major news network?
It feels like it should be a major news story
It feels like it should be a major news story
Reposted by Barral Lab
Reposted by Barral Lab
'Despite all their difficulties, universities remain an enormous and irreplaceable national asset. As well as educating millions of people, they generate about £24bn in export earnings, which is about 1% of GDP – more than aircraft manufacturing and legal services combined'. 1/2
The Guardian view on universities: Labour needs a clearer plan | Editorial
Editorial: Ministers promised a ‘change of approach’, but their new tax could tip weaker institutions over the edge
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:15 AM
'Despite all their difficulties, universities remain an enormous and irreplaceable national asset. As well as educating millions of people, they generate about £24bn in export earnings, which is about 1% of GDP – more than aircraft manufacturing and legal services combined'. 1/2
Reposted by Barral Lab
Taking advantage of a natural experiment, this follow-up by @pascalge.bsky.social of their earlier study in Nature on the beneficial effects of shingles vacination on dementia. Very cool stuff!
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
The effect of shingles vaccination at different stages of the dementia disease course
A natural experiment found that herpes zoster vaccination reduced the occurrence of
mild cognitive impairment and deaths due to dementia, indicating that the vaccine
may slow the progression of dement...
www.cell.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Taking advantage of a natural experiment, this follow-up by @pascalge.bsky.social of their earlier study in Nature on the beneficial effects of shingles vacination on dementia. Very cool stuff!
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Barral Lab
BBC News - Top UK scientist says research visa restrictions endanger economy
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Top UK scientist says research visa restrictions endanger economy
Prof Sir Paul Nurse says the UK is "shooting itself in the foot" with its visa system for researchers.
www.bbc.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:35 AM
BBC News - Top UK scientist says research visa restrictions endanger economy
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Barral Lab
"Why do we put hurdles in the way of the people that are actually going to drive our economy? It makes zero sense."
Prof Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel prize winning scientist, says the UK's scientific future is being put at risk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Prof Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel prize winning scientist, says the UK's scientific future is being put at risk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Top UK scientist says research visa restrictions endanger economy
Prof Sir Paul Nurse says the UK is
www.bbc.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 7:34 AM
"Why do we put hurdles in the way of the people that are actually going to drive our economy? It makes zero sense."
Prof Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel prize winning scientist, says the UK's scientific future is being put at risk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Prof Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel prize winning scientist, says the UK's scientific future is being put at risk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Barral Lab
We need to apply @nc3rs.bsky.social principles, ensure animal welfare & do the best possible by research animals. But let's not confuse people or ourselves by thinking they're dispensable.
Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research | Letters www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research | Letters www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research | Letters
Letters: Dr Robin Lovell-Badge and Prof Emma Robinson respond to an editorial on using new technologies to reduce the reliance on animal experiments
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:17 PM
We need to apply @nc3rs.bsky.social principles, ensure animal welfare & do the best possible by research animals. But let's not confuse people or ourselves by thinking they're dispensable.
Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research | Letters www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research | Letters www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Barral Lab
Key points on the need for continued animal use in scientific research. www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research | Letters
Letters: Dr Robin Lovell-Badge and Prof Emma Robinson respond to an editorial on using new technologies to reduce the reliance on animal experiments
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Key points on the need for continued animal use in scientific research. www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Barral Lab
Vaccinating boys and girls. It works bitches.
November 26, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Vaccinating boys and girls. It works bitches.
Reposted by Barral Lab
“There were no cervical cancer cases diagnosed in women aged <25 years in 2021 – the first time that this has occurred in data going back to 1982. This remarkable achievement is almost certainly due to the impact of HPV vaccination.” From report.cervicalcancercontrol.org.au
#vaccinationsaveslives
#vaccinationsaveslives
November 26, 2025 at 10:53 AM
“There were no cervical cancer cases diagnosed in women aged <25 years in 2021 – the first time that this has occurred in data going back to 1982. This remarkable achievement is almost certainly due to the impact of HPV vaccination.” From report.cervicalcancercontrol.org.au
#vaccinationsaveslives
#vaccinationsaveslives
Reposted by Barral Lab
Frikkin amazing stuff.
November 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Frikkin amazing stuff.
Reposted by Barral Lab
Today is the International day for the elimination of violence against women. In 2024, an estimated 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members worldwide. That is 137 women and girls every day. One every ten minutes. www.un.org/en/observanc...
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women | United Nations
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women aims to create awareness of the fact that violence against women is a human rights violation that impedes progress in many areas, in...
www.un.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Today is the International day for the elimination of violence against women. In 2024, an estimated 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members worldwide. That is 137 women and girls every day. One every ten minutes. www.un.org/en/observanc...
Reposted by Barral Lab
#Sudan: We call on the RSF to protect health facilities and staff, following the death of a Ministry of Health colleague during a shooting at Zalingei hospital.
For the second time this year, we have withdrawn staff to ensure their safety.
ow.ly/O8VW50XxNcx
For the second time this year, we have withdrawn staff to ensure their safety.
ow.ly/O8VW50XxNcx
Sudan: MSF calls for protection of health facilities and staff after health worker killed | Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF ...
MSF calls for protection of health workers and facilities after a colleague was killed at Zalingei Hospital in Central Darfur, disrupting care.
ow.ly
November 25, 2025 at 8:43 PM
#Sudan: We call on the RSF to protect health facilities and staff, following the death of a Ministry of Health colleague during a shooting at Zalingei hospital.
For the second time this year, we have withdrawn staff to ensure their safety.
ow.ly/O8VW50XxNcx
For the second time this year, we have withdrawn staff to ensure their safety.
ow.ly/O8VW50XxNcx
Reposted by Barral Lab
We are recruiting a Reader/Professor of Immunobiology at @kingslsm.bsky.social . This is a unique opportunity to shape basic immunology at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social . Please RP.
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/131447-...
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/131447-...
Reader in/Professor of Immunobiology | King's College London
www.kcl.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
We are recruiting a Reader/Professor of Immunobiology at @kingslsm.bsky.social . This is a unique opportunity to shape basic immunology at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social . Please RP.
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/131447-...
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/131447-...
Reposted by Barral Lab
'THE’s analysis includes more than 120 institutions from the government’s gender pay gap service providing undergraduate education in 2024-25, and excludes school trusts and further education colleges.' 1/3
Gender pay gap growing across majority of UK universities
More than half of higher education institutions failed to improve gender pay equity last year
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:36 AM
'THE’s analysis includes more than 120 institutions from the government’s gender pay gap service providing undergraduate education in 2024-25, and excludes school trusts and further education colleges.' 1/3
Reposted by Barral Lab
'The UK should establish a network of “disruptive invention” labs outside of the university system to pursue frontier science and technology'. (Tony Blair Institute)
The UK should stabilise the disrupted university system before faffing about with shiny new disruptive networks. (actual researcher)
The UK should stabilise the disrupted university system before faffing about with shiny new disruptive networks. (actual researcher)
UK needs new ‘disruptive’ labs for frontier science, says think tank.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
November 20, 2025 at 10:14 AM
'The UK should establish a network of “disruptive invention” labs outside of the university system to pursue frontier science and technology'. (Tony Blair Institute)
The UK should stabilise the disrupted university system before faffing about with shiny new disruptive networks. (actual researcher)
The UK should stabilise the disrupted university system before faffing about with shiny new disruptive networks. (actual researcher)
Reposted by Barral Lab
Not sure why @lpachter.bsky.social did not post this here. But it is brilliant. Single cell genomics finally makes it to the clinic.
November 18, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Not sure why @lpachter.bsky.social did not post this here. But it is brilliant. Single cell genomics finally makes it to the clinic.
Reposted by Barral Lab
Fantastic Inaugural Lectures by Katie Doores and Patricia Barral
@barrallab.bsky.social . It is a real privilege to have colleagues like them at @kingslsm.bsky.social .
@barrallab.bsky.social . It is a real privilege to have colleagues like them at @kingslsm.bsky.social .
November 13, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Fantastic Inaugural Lectures by Katie Doores and Patricia Barral
@barrallab.bsky.social . It is a real privilege to have colleagues like them at @kingslsm.bsky.social .
@barrallab.bsky.social . It is a real privilege to have colleagues like them at @kingslsm.bsky.social .
Reposted by Barral Lab
Scientists feel that the pressure to publish is rising, but that the time and resources they have to do the necessary research are falling, according to a survey of 3,200 researchers
go.nature.com/4hNDvuN
go.nature.com/4hNDvuN
Pressure to publish is rising as research time shrinks, finds survey of scientists
Researchers feel that pressures to publish are increasing, but the time and resources available to do research are decreasing, according to a survey by Elsevier.
go.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Scientists feel that the pressure to publish is rising, but that the time and resources they have to do the necessary research are falling, according to a survey of 3,200 researchers
go.nature.com/4hNDvuN
go.nature.com/4hNDvuN
Reposted by Barral Lab
It is not often that a new flow cytometry protocol makes the newspaper! I also got a kick out of seeing our science tagged as "quirky"!
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/fairy-l...
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/fairy-l...
Fairy Liquid unveiled as secret ingredient in University of Cambridge scientists’ near-universal magic formula
It helps them with experiments studying the inside of cells.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 10:35 AM
It is not often that a new flow cytometry protocol makes the newspaper! I also got a kick out of seeing our science tagged as "quirky"!
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/fairy-l...
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/fairy-l...