November 2021

June Almeida: virus imaging pioneer

Beginning her career as a junior hospital technician, Dr June Almeida completed it as a world-renowned virologist whose techniques revolutionised diagnostic electron microscopy. She was also the first person to see a human coronavirus. Here we look back over her life.

Accreditation agility

Ben Courtney, the Healthcare Section Head at UKAS, outlines the service’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shining a light ...on lighthouse laboratories

We look back over the history of the lighthouse labs and whether better quality control and tighter regulation are needed.

Building confidence in LFDs

New research has used a mathematical formula to clarify how lateral flow devices are more effective than sometimes portrayed. Professor Iain Buchan, Executive Dean of Liverpool’s Institute of Population Health, explains the findings.

The big question: Better recognition

This month, we ask: “How can biomedical scientists get better recognition for what they contribute to healthcare?”

Tech news: November

This month's top tech news stories

Blood marker for peripheral artery disease

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have shown that high levels of a specific protein circulating in the blood are an accurate marker for a severe type of peripheral artery disease that narrows the arteries in the legs and can raise the risk of heart attack.

Oesophageal cancer increase in under 50s

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma cases have tripled in under 50s over the past 30 years, a new study has found.

“No urgent referral for 60% of red flags”

Six out of 10 patients in England with “red flag” symptoms indicative of possible cancer didn’t receive an urgent referral for specialist assessment within two weeks, as recommended in clinical guidelines.

Supporting members

David Wells, IBMS Chief Executive, on how the Institute will support, progress and promote biomedical science.

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