• The Green (Fluorescent Protein)-Eyed Monster

    Is there a formula for scientific success, or do some scientists simply ‘get lucky’? When in doubt, draw a graph. This is not so much useful advice as a way of life. The pros and cons of various DNA ladders? The best flavour of soup for ten minute incubation breaks? Or the relationship between...
  • Development of Empathy in Infants

    Babies are notoriously selfish creatures - either they're asleep, happy, or they're screaming. It isn't until the age of two that children begin to realise that other people have their owns wants and needs. However, a recent study from researchers at Durham University has demonstrated that...
  • British Science Association media fellowship

    For the next month, I am taking a teeny break from science to pretend to be a journalist at Nature News. It's a scheme aimed at teaching working scientists about how the media works by dragging them out of the lab, bleary eyed with the residual smell of growth media lingering upon their person,...
  • Hitting an Invisible Target in TB Vaccine Design

    I have a troubled relationship with Twitter. It’s an unredeemable hate sort of thing. I’m generally an inane mix of angry opinion and low self-esteem so, in theory, we’re perfect for each other. I just don’t feel it, though. I had a quick look for online videos in the same vein of the YouTube...
  • Susceptibility to Tuberculosis

    What does an Egyptian mummy have in common with one-third of the world’s population? The answer is tuberculosis (TB)—a disease which has been affecting mankind since prehistoric times. But, I hear you muttering, didn’t we already cure TB? Um, not really. Around 1.7 million people die from TB every...
  • Murder Your Darlings

    It makes me laugh when I hear people say that they don’t like fantasy or science fiction novels because ‘it’s not real’. All fiction, by definition, is made up. Yet, when it comes to imaginary monsters or aliens or magicians with pointy hats and white beards, many people don’t want to read...

Sunday, 4 December 2016

The Beijing lineage of M. tuberculosis is the villain in a movie sequel. Nastier, scarier, harder to kill. You thought tuberculosis (TB) was bad? Think again. The Beijing lineage is that little bit worse, associated with a speedier disease progression and increased antibiotic resistance. I’ve always had a thing for studies...