Empowering genomic breakthroughs
Faster, safer and smarter tools accelerate scientific discovery. As of June 2025, a new initiative, SynHG (synthetic Human Genome), aims to develop scalable tools and technologies for synthesising human genomes. This five-year research project marks a bold step forward in genomics.
How to use AI responsibly
In regulated industries, the promise of AI is huge – faster decisions, deeper insights, greater efficiency. But so are the risks. Mission-critical applications demand more than cutting-edge algorithms or powerful models. They require responsible intelligence. AI that is auditable, explainable and aligned with regulatory standards from day one. That’s only possible when human expertise and AI innovation are brought together by design, not as an afterthought.
Comment: Antibiotic availability
A new independent study, sponsored by healthcare company Viatris, Securing access, improving lives. Strengthening patients’ access to off-patent medicines in Europe, investigates the reasons behind the increasing unavailability of medicines, focusing on antibiotics.
Rethinking labelling for hazardous goods
When transporting hazardous and dangerous goods, there’s an assumption that compliance takes care of itself: once a label is printed and placed on a barrel or container, the job is done. In reality, the process goes far beyond this. Every day, thousands of drums, canisters and bulk containers move across borders, oceans and industries, many carrying substances that pose significant risks to health, safety and the environment.
Why the North American fertiliser market still growing
The North American fertiliser market is expected to reach $92.23bn by 2033, up from $68.68bn in 2024, with a CAGR of 3.33% from 2025 to 2033, according to the latest ResearchAndMarkets.com report: North America Fertilizer Market Size and Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033.
The outlook for digital life sciences
Life sciences organisations are using AI and other emerging technologies to become more agile, innovative and patient-centric, according to a new research report. The 2025 ISG Provider Lens global Life Sciences Digital Services report finds that clinical trials, manufacturing, patient engagement and other activities in the industry are being transformed to meet changing expectations.
Understanding the STEM skills pipeline
Each year, one early-career chemical or process engineer swaps the lab bench for the corridors of Westminster, not to become a politician, but to help inform them. The Ashok Kumar Fellowship, funded by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and the Materials Processing Institute, gives engineers the chance to spend three months working in the UK Parliament.
AI and its potential impact on peer review
Peer review remains the core quality control mechanism of science, the cornerstone of validating scientific research determining what gets published and funded, but the process of selecting reviewers is outdated, slow and flawed.
Protecting research integrity
Principal Investigators (PIs) are crucial to maintaining research integrity. The path to becoming a PI usually takes over a decade, beginning with undergraduate studies and culminating in the acquisition of independent research funding. Becoming a PI is also incredibly competitive with many PhD graduates and postdoctoral researchers not making the eventual transition to a PI role.
Comment: A rising demand, a shrinking footprint
The Government is pushing for the UK to become a ‘science superpower’, but infrastructure is not keeping pace. Several factors contribute to the shortage, but the most significant is the rapid growth of the scientific research sector. Scientific publications are increasing at an exponential rate of 5.6%/year.