Latest News
Physics of Life ECR Bootcamp Inspires the Next Generation of Interdisciplinary Researchers
Early-career researchers from across the UK gathered at Durham University earlier in September for the Physics of Life ECR Bootcamp 2026: Communicate, Collaborate, Discover, a three-day programme designed to support professional development, stimulate scientific collaboration, and build community across the physical and life sciences.
Mathematical Approaches to Spatial Biology Symposium Brings International Researchers to Durham
Researchers from across the UK, Europe, and beyond gathered at Durham University over a week in September 2026 for the Mathematical Approaches to Spatial Biology Symposium.
BSI Outreach Showcased at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition 2026
Students from Framwellgate School Durham showcased their tuberculosis drug discovery research at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2026. Working with Durham BSI's Professor Patrick Steel and Dr Alistair Brown of Newcastle University, the students designed and tested novel drug candidates targeting multi-drug resistant TB, demonstrating the impact of research-led STEM education and the next generation of scientific talent.
From Nano Containers to Cabbages: Durham BSI Researchers Engage Audiences at Pint of Science 2026
For the fifth consecutive year, the Biophysical Sciences Institute (BSI) was proud to sponsor Pint of Science Durham, helping to bring cutting-edge research out of the University and into the heart of the community.
Durham hosts inaugural Strep GBI conference, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration
Researchers from across Great Britain and Ireland gathered at Durham University in March 2026 for the inaugural Strep GBI conference, a new cross-disciplinary initiative uniting the streptococcal research community.
Creative collaborations - new ideas at the interface of art and science
The latest events in our Art-Science platform BSI Create brought together a new group of creative and professionals for two very different events designed to share and explore scientific research concepts from new perspectives.
Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases honoured with Royal Society of Chemistry Prize
The success of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases has been recognised with a 2026 Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Chemistry–Biology Interface Horizon Prize. The GCRF funded team which is led by the BSI’s Professor Paul Denny in Durham University’s Department of Biosciences, has been honoured for its pioneering work in identifying and validating new drug targets for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
Professor Mark Leake appointed as next Director of the Biophysical Sciences Institute and Chair of Natural Philosophy
Durham University has announced the appointment of renowned physicist Professor Mark Leake as Chair of Natural Philosophy, effective 1st October 2026.
The Judith Howard Lecture 2026
In June 2026 Dr Kasia Tych (University of Freiburg and University of Groningen) visited Durham to deliver the 2026 Judith Howard Lecture, the flagship annual lecture of the Biophysical Sciences Institute (BSI).
Molecular Sciences for Medicine Centre for Doctoral Training - Annual Conference 2026
In May 2026, the MoSMed CDT (the Molecular Sciences for Medicine Centre for Doctoral Training) hosted its sixth annual conference, bringing together current PhD researchers, alumni, supervisors and collaborators from across academia and industry.
Biophysical Sciences Institute Innovation showcased on the international stage
BSI Director Prof. Ehmke Pohl highlighted the connection between and innovation in a plenary lecture at the Accord Conference in Warsaw (May 2026). The research presented came from work with Nevragenics and Lightox, two Durham University spinouts founded based on BSI funded research.
Global research team to tackle soil crisis in sub-Saharan Africa
An international team led by researchers from Physics Department and the Biophysical Sciences Institute are developing a new way to tackle soil degradation in sub–Saharan Africa.