Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Selina Wray

Philip Ball @philipcball.bsky.social · 1d

2012 Nobel laureate John Gurdon has died. His work was central to both the development of animal cloning and the possibility of reprogramming cells to a different state. A giant of cell and developmental biology.
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...

Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS (1933-2025) | Magdalene College

Magdalene College is deeply saddened to announce the death of Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS, who served as Master of the College from 1995 to 2002.

www.magd.cam.ac.uk

25 53

Reposted by Selina Wray

Josh Halliday @joshhalliday.bsky.social · 2d

Huntington’s disease, my family, and hope at last. I spoke to my good friend ⁦‪@helenpidd.bsky.social‬⁩ for this podcast. Spoiler alert: one of us cried.

www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...

My dad, his ‘incurable’ disease, and hope at last - podcast

Guardian’s Josh Halliday talks about Huntington’s disease, the impact it has had on his family and the hope there may now be a treatment

www.theguardian.com

1 6

Reposted by Selina Wray

Simon Gosden @simongosden.bsky.social · 4d

Today is the 89th anniversary of The Battle of Cable Street when the people of the East End of London halted the march of Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts through Stepney.

18 270 860

Selina Wray @selinawray.bsky.social · 6d

I want someone to fund me to differentiate the chicken ones to see if the neurons make 5R tau

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12484758/

Nature Biotechnology @natbiotech.nature.com · 8d

Derivation of embryonic stem cells across avian species - @stemcell.keck.usc.edu go.nature.com/4gLAGcZ

Derivation of embryonic stem cells across avian species - Nature Biotechnology

Embryonic stem cells for chicken and seven other avian species are derived.

go.nature.com

1 5

Reposted by Selina Wray

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 6d

From finding a "universal language" in science, to comedy, conferences and following her passion, Prof Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu @ucllifesciences.bsky.social tells BBC World Service about her fascinating path to becoming a pioneer of pharmaceutical nanoscience and champion for race equality

Outlook - One suitcase, three kids: a broke scientist pursues a dream - BBC Sounds

Once a homeless single mum, Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu is now a nanomedicine pioneer

www.bbc.co.uk

6 7

Selina Wray @selinawray.bsky.social · 7d

Pirate kittens! 🏴‍☠️ 😻

1 1

Selina Wray @selinawray.bsky.social · 7d

Bit of present shopping for my friends kids today by my talented friend and podcast cohost @caswell.bsky.social ! Reading myself before it goes in the post….!

2 1 9

Reposted by Selina Wray

Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 9d

Detail will be important but this is an important announcement. Since Osborne’s abolition of grants we’ve had the invidious situation where the poorest students have been getting more indebted than richer ones, who are supported by parents.
www.gov.uk/government/n...

Targeted maintenance grants for students to be reintroduced

Disadvantaged students studying priority courses will benefit from extra financial support to access and excel in higher education.

www.gov.uk

9 53 210

Reposted by Selina Wray

UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences @uclbrainscience.bsky.social · 10d

🎧 @selinawray.bsky.social & @caswell.bsky.social are back with a new Brain Stories episode; this time with Prof @adrianisaacs.bsky.social from @ukdri.ac.uk.
They dive into Frontotemporal Dementia & the surprising role fruit flies play in research.
Listen: soundcloud.com/uclsound/bra...
#UCLDementia

Brain Stories - Episode 21: Professor Adrian Isaacs on Frontotemporal Dementia

Selina and Caswell chat with Professor Adrian Isaacs from the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL to talk Frontotemporal Dementia — from how fruit flies are helping, to the role of DNA repeat expans

soundcloud.com

4 8

Reposted by Selina Wray

Philip Ball @philipcball.bsky.social · 12d

I felt very moved by this too. Not because we yet have a cure, but because of the reminder of the passionate and humane commitment that goes into such research, contrasted with the vicious idiocy with which medical research is being treated right now by the US administration.

Bethany Brookshire @beebrookshire.bsky.social · 12d

In reporting this piece on the new trial for a Huntington's treatment, I was struck by one thing in particular:

The joy.

One of my sources wept for joy. He has spent his entire career studying this disease, he said it was the happiest day. www.sciencenews.org/article/hunt...

Huntington's progression slowed by experimental gene therapy

An experimental gene therapy slowed Huntington’s by up to 75 percent in a small clinical trial. While not a cure, it may give patients longer lives.

www.sciencenews.org

1 22 77

Selina Wray @selinawray.bsky.social · 14d

Incredible!!!

UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences @uclbrainscience.bsky.social · 14d

🧵 BREAKING: Gene therapy shows promise in slowing Huntington’s disease progression. A major milestone in neurodegenerative disease research. @uclqsion.bsky.social @ucl-hd.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time

One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.

www.bbc.co.uk

5 32

Reposted by Selina Wray

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 15d

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.

Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐

Graphic with the headline “London is the greatest city in the world” set against a bright view of the River Thames with the Shard, Tower Bridge and the city skyline.

The text celebrates what makes London special: regularly voted the number one city in the world, incredible diversity with over 300 languages spoken, world-class transport, world leader in finance tech and life sciences, best museums and galleries many free to visit, world-leading nightlife, food sport and music for every taste, host to the world’s best sporting events, home to seven Premier League clubs, globally-ranked universities, a city where you can be yourself and love who you love, and a place for everyone.

200 1K 4.3K

Selina Wray @selinawray.bsky.social · 15d

Sad to hear of the passing of Dickie Bird, a true Barnsley legend! This was taken in 2019 when we co-led the graduation procession for Barnsley college graduates through tarn - me as guest speaker at the ceremony, him receiving an honorary degree 🏏

6

Selina Wray @selinawray.bsky.social · 16d

Ive got nothing left Dan 🤣

1 1

Reposted by Selina Wray

Charlie Arber @celarber.bsky.social · 16d

Thank you @alzsocresearch.bsky.social and @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social for chatting with me about our recent paper.

So grateful for all the coauthors and mentors who made this work possible.

Certainly a team effort!

alzsocresearch.bsky.social @alzsocresearch.bsky.social · 16d

"It’s been fantastic to come up with an idea... and have an output like this."

On @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social, we spoke to Dr Charlie Arber @celarber.bsky.social about his first senior author paper from his Alzheimer's Society funded fellowship: www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-first-a...

Dr Charlie Arber - Blog – First and last of publication authorship

Dr Charlie Arber shares his journey to senior authorship, developing iPSC astrocyte and microglia models to explore inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

3 6

Reposted by Selina Wray

Dementia Researcher @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social · 16d

Calling all dementia researchers! 📢 Submit your nominations for the @alzresearchuk.bsky.social David Hague, Jean Corsan, De Laszlo, and Laura Pulford Prizes at #ARUK2025.

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/nominate-now...

Nominate Now: Alzheimer’s Research UK 2025 Prizes

Nominations are open for Alzheimer’s Research UK 2025 Conference Awards, celebrating excellence in dementia research from PhD students to early career leaders.

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

2 3

Selina Wray @selinawray.bsky.social · 16d

Some weeks being a PI feels like 70% (trying to do) worktribe and 30% filling out doodle polls 🫠

1 6

Reposted by Selina Wray

Dementia Researcher @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social · 17d

This World Alzheimer's Day, Dr Clíona Farrell reflects on progress and challenges in research, from blood biomarkers to new treatments. Read her blog now. #WorldAlzDay #WAD2025

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-world-a...

Dr Clíona Farrell - Blog – World Alzheimer’s Day reflection

Dr Clíona Farrell reflects on progress, challenges, and hope in Alzheimer’s research this World Alzheimer’s Day, sharing why she's inspired to study the disease

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

1 2 8

Reposted by Selina Wray

UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences @uclbrainscience.bsky.social · 17d

Today is #WorldAlzheimersDay, a moment to reflect on the global impact of Alzheimer's disease and #dementia. At UCL, our researchers are harnessing AI to drive breakthroughs in dementia research.
Find out more: buff.ly/lhSFv6v
#UCLDementia

4 4

Reposted by Selina Wray

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 17d

The financial realities of university life for some students; how do we imagine this funding system is fair, or conducive to a positive university experience for many?

My student loan doesn't cover my bills - so I wear my work uniform to lectures

As students struggle to cover the cost of university, the BBC speaks to young people to find out how they make it work.

www.bbc.co.uk

1 6 33

Reposted by Selina Wray

UK Dementia Research Institute @ukdri.ac.uk · 19d

🎙️ New podcast: Prof @adrianisaacs.bsky.social discusses frontotemporal dementia: from how fruit flies are helping, to the role of DNA repeat expansions in disease, and why lipids might protect the brain.

On UCL's Brain Stories pod - listen here ⬇️

Brain Stories - Episode 21: Professor Adrian Isaacs on Frontotemporal Dementia

Selina and Caswell chat with Professor Adrian Isaacs from the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL to talk Frontotemporal Dementia — from how fruit flies are helping, to the role of DNA repeat expans

buff.ly

2 1

Reposted by Selina Wray

UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences @uclbrainscience.bsky.social · 20d

Happening TODAY!
Join [email protected] & Dr Ross Paterson for a Reddit AMA on r/iAmA.

⏰ 3–5pm BST
📍 Ask our experts questions about dementia research & care as part of #WorldAlzheimersMonth

👇 www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comme...

3 1

Reposted by Selina Wray

Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 22d

🚨 THIS IS NOT A DRILL 🚨

We’ve just seen this, by creator “Menapian” - a 4,998-piece set of the Great Exhibition (1851) Crystal Palace - complete with a bonus Megalosaurus and Ichthyosaur…

beta.ideas.lego.com/product-idea...

Screenshot of part of the LEGO Ideas website, showing a side view of a diorama featuring both creatures

20 260 780

Selina Wray @selinawray.bsky.social · 23d

Brilliant! Congratulations Dr Transfeld 🥳

2

Reposted by Selina Wray

Research at ARUK @alzheimersresearchuk.org · 23d

Check out UCL’s free Lunch Hour Lecture with Prof @selinawray.bsky.social (@uclqsion.bsky.social) to learn more about the latest dementia research and promising future directions.

UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences @uclbrainscience.bsky.social · 29d

🧠 What if we could watch dementia unfold in a dish—and stop it before it starts?

Join Prof @selinawray.bsky.social (@uclqsion.bsky.social) on 18 Sept for a free UCL Lunch Hour Lecture exploring the future of dementia research.

📅 1–2pm | 💻 Online
👉 buff.ly/4pVcVhG

3 2