Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Matthew Gibson

Science X / Phys.org @sciencex.bsky.social · Sep 4

A new cryopreservation method using polyampholytes, DMSO, and trehalose significantly reduces thaw time for red blood cells, supporting faster emergency transfusions and improved blood storage. doi.org/g92knc

Blood on demand: New freezing method slashes thaw time for emergency blood transfusions

A transformative new method for freezing human red blood cells has been developed by researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Leeds.

medicalxpress.com

1 2

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Sep 4

and press release here.
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/s...

Scientists develop groundbreaking ‘blood on demand’ technology to revolutionise emergency transfusions

Rapid washout: Cocktail-treated RBCs can be washed and prepared for transfusion in just 25 minutes – compared to over 75 minutes for glycerol.Higher recovery rates: The new method results in an averag...

www.manchester.ac.uk

2 2

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Sep 4

Our work showing how our macromolecular cryoprotectants unlock "blood on demand' is now published! @uommib.bsky.social From the freezer to fully washed in just 25 minutes, compared to 75 mins using glycerol. Partnership with Tom Whale, Fraser Macrae and more.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti....

Towards blood on demand: Rapid post-thaw isolation of red blood cells from multicomponent cryoprotectants

Severe blood loss due to trauma, anaemia, or chemotherapy necessitates immediate red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. The short shelf-life of RBCs at 4 …

www.sciencedirect.com

1 2 4

Reposted by Matthew Gibson

Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · Jul 22

I have so many questions. Why so lilac? Why video shot in the style of Duran Duran’s Wild Boys? Beyond what? But somehow the one that’s bothering me most is why no definite article before “University of Warwick”?

michael veale @michae.lv · Jul 22

Self-inflicted embarrassment for the University of Warwick — first it rebrands hyper-generically, then someone totally unhinged decides the *front page of the uni website* should say ‘Learn more about our Brand’.

42 26 210

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Jul 10

Was a fun meeting and nice to catch up with so many colleagues and collaborators.

2

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Jul 3

Our latest work is out. Glyconanoparticles with complex branched glycans to interrogate influenza binding, with no labels in a microplate. Nice academic/industry collaboration @uommib.bsky.social with Iceni and AZ, and Rob Field. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Label‐Free and Microplate‐Based Dissection of Glycan‐Virus Interactions Using Polymer‐Tethered Glyconanoparticles

This work demonstrates the use of polymer-tethered glycosylated gold nanoparticles for the label-free evaluation of influenza virus binding in a simple microplate. Sialylated linear and branched glyc...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

2 2

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · May 28

Our team's dedicated microscopy platform for (live) cell imaging is set up @uommib.bsky.social : spinning disk confocal + high-content microscopes, + flow cytometer. This will accelerate our biomaterials discovery for cryo/glyco sciences. Credit to @akalabyabissoyi.bsky.social for hard work!

1 8

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · May 14

Today I’ll be visiting my Alma Mater, Durham Chemistry, as part of my Corday-Morgan lecture series. I’ll present our latest advances in (macro)molecules for cryobiology.

2

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · May 8

Registration is now open for the Annual MacroGroupUK Symposia and Medal Award Lectures, hosted @uommib.bsky.social 8/9th September. Fabulous line up of speakers. Thanks to sponsors, we have poster prizes and low registration including all refreshments .
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2025-macro...

2025 MacroGroup Annual Symposia and Medal Lectures

Get ready for two jam-packed days of talks, discussions, and prestigious medal lectures at the 2025 MacroGroup Annual Symposia!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

2 1

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Apr 24

This will let us explore the benefits of PVAylation, which is not only ice-binding, water soluble, low toxicity, but is also degradable in the environment

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Apr 24

This has been a challenge for us, due to lability of the RAFT end-group after deprotection giving us low conversion. Using a photo-reduction, we can cap the reactive end group and install bio-conjugation functionality at the other end.

1

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Apr 24

Our latest from Doug is out @chemicalscience.rsc.org @uommib.bsky.social . We introduce #PVAylation: site specific bioconjugation of PVA to proteins, bringing unique ice-binding capability as well as other benefits of polymer-conjugation. pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

PVAylation: precision end-functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) for site-selective bioconjugation

The (bio)conjugation of polymers onto proteins enhances their pharmacokinetics and stability, most commonly using PEG (polyethylene glycol), but there is a need for alternatives. Poly(vinyl alcohol), ...

pubs.rsc.org

1 2 7

Reposted by Matthew Gibson

Oregon 🕎🎲 @oregonthedm.bsky.social · Apr 9

Biggest commitment to a 3 second joke I've ever seen

880 28K 89K

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Mar 22

We have 3 talks #ACSSpring2025 from the team. Glycodiagnostics, covalent glycocalyx-targeting gene delivery and new poly(oxazoline) materials.

1

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Mar 19

We have another #postdoc vacancy @uommib.bsky.social . Join us to explore new applications of glycan-nanodiagnostics, with our partners Iceni Glycoscience and Field Lab. #glycotime We have world-class facilities in great environment. Pls RT.
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

2 1

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Mar 12

Early morning start, to head over the Pennines to visit Sheffield, hosted by Steve Armes . I’ll be talking Chemical Cryobiology, focussing on new, and unpublished, polymeric protein stabilisation tools. Talk is at 12 noon in chemistry dept.

2

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Mar 5

Our new HPLC from Agilent to go along with our Glyconeer is set up and ready at @uommib.bsky.social . This platform for automated polysaccharide synthesis will transform our capabilities for biomaterial discovery. Science soon!

1 3

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Feb 27

**SAVE THE DATE** @MacroGroup_UK Annual Meeting and Medals Symposium 8/9th September at Manchester. We look forward to welcoming the polymer community. Details coming soon.

4 7

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Feb 24

First step of our Glyconeer installation from @glycouniverse.bsky.social complete! Automated synthesis of polysaccharide materials will be coming soon (ish). @uommib.bsky.social

4

Reposted by Matthew Gibson

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Jan 23

We have a #postdoc researcher vacancy @UoMChemistry @UoMMIB . Join us to use our new automated glycan assembly (Glyconeer) platform to discover next generation sustainable polysaccharide materials in world-class labs and environment. #glycotime Pls RT.
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

7 8

Reposted by Matthew Gibson

Prof. Zoë Waller @drzoewaller.bsky.social · Jan 24

Job alert!

3-year PDRA position to work on synthesis of ruthenium complexes as probes for i-motif DNA - please share with anyone looking for positions!

Happy to answer any questions 😃

www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DLN413/s...

Senior Research Associate in Inorganic and Biophysical Chemistry at Lancaster University

An academic position as a Senior Research Associate in Inorganic and Biophysical Chemistry is being advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Click now to find more details and explore additional academic job opportu...

www.jobs.ac.uk

6 10

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Jan 23

We have a #postdoc researcher vacancy @UoMChemistry @UoMMIB . Join us to use our new automated glycan assembly (Glyconeer) platform to discover next generation sustainable polysaccharide materials in world-class labs and environment. #glycotime Pls RT.
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

7 8

Reposted by Matthew Gibson

Manchester Institute of Biotechnology @uommib.bsky.social · Jan 21

@labgibson.bsky.social is part of a new Prosperity Partnership – led by Prof Mike Shaver – to address plastic waste in healthcare. This partnership between @official-uom.bsky.social and @bupauk.bsky.social will drive meaningful change for the sector.

www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/u...

University of Manchester and Bupa combine to affect change on environmental impact of healthcare sector

The University of Manchester and Bupa have announced an innovative new collaboration to develop new methods and strategies to drastically reduce the healthcare sector’s environmental impact upon our p...

www.manchester.ac.uk

1 3

Reposted by Matthew Gibson

Manchester Institute of Biotechnology @uommib.bsky.social · Jan 21

Prof Alan Dickson will co-lead a new £8.2m project with the University of Kent and UCL that will bridge the gap in diagnostics development.

CADDA will bring together academics, industry, the NHS and regulators to help bring new products to market.

www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/t...

The University of Manchester partners in £8.2 million initiative to accelerate diagnostic innovation

The project, led by the University of Kent, and including The University of Manchester, and University College London (UCL), will address the development gap in the diagnostics innovation ecosystem.Ac...

www.manchester.ac.uk

1 1

Matthew Gibson @labgibson.bsky.social · Jan 21

Today we took delivery of a Benchtop NMR for our labs. This will accelerate our work in discovering new materials for biologic storage, rapid diagnostics and sustainable biotechnologies. thanks @nwarren.bsky.social for advice on this. Especially excited for aqueous DOSY!

1 1 12