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Chemical Probes Hackathon 2027

On 9 July, Newcastle University hosted a Chemical Probes Hackathon, bringing together PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff from Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, for a day of collaborative learning focused on the evaluation of chemical probes used in biomedical research.  During the Hackathon – supported by Newcastle University, Durham University, the MoSMed CDT, and EPSRC – participants then took part in a hands-on review exercise, assessing the quality of chemical probes and learning how to critically evaluate the evidence supporting their use. Working alongside experts from the Chemical Probes Portal, attendees developed practical skills in data interpretation, critical appraisal and research best practice.   Alongside the hackathon, Dr Susanne… Read More »Chemical Probes Hackathon 2027

Taking Time to Write

In July, researchers from Newcastle University’s Chemical Biology community stepped away from the lab and headed to Cockle Park Farm for a one-day writing retreat designed to support high-quality scientific writing and provide dedicated time for focused research activity.  The day began with a practical session led by Dr Tom McAllister, who shared insights and techniques for effective scientific writing. Following the workshop, participants spent much of the day engaged in uninterrupted writing and analysis. Researchers worked on a range of projects, including journal papers, theses, progression reports, undergraduate project reports, and data analysis. By stepping away from the demands of experiments and day-to-day responsibilities, attendees were able to focus… Read More »Taking Time to Write

Summer Graduates 2026!

In July, we are delighted to celebrate several significant academic achievements within the Kawamura Research Group.  Congratulations to Dr Tom Smith, Dr Tim Bell and Dr Emma Wadforth on the successful completion of their PhDs. Reaching this milestone represents years of dedication, resilience and scientific discovery, and is a testament to their hard work and commitment to research.  We also extend our congratulations to Nell Marrs and Tina Baharlou, who have graduated with their MChem degrees. Their achievements reflect the effort, determination and enthusiasm they have shown throughout their studies.  We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved and grateful for the contributions they have made to the research group. It has been a privilege to support and witness their development, and we look forward to following… Read More »Summer Graduates 2026!

Jumping Back into “Juicy Genes”

Written by: Hana Anderton. Once again, volunteers from the Kawamura Research Group returned to this year’s Discover Festival on 13th June 2026, bringing chemical biology to the centre of Newcastle through an engaging experiment. The family-friendly festival gave members of the public the opportunity to explore the world around them, celebrate creativity, and discover the excitement of scientific research, something which the team delivered brilliantly.  The group’s interactive activity, Juicy Genes, invited families to extract DNA from strawberries and kiwi fruits, offering a fascinating insight into what exactly makes up every living organism. Through this interesting experiment, members of the public were also able to learn about the role of… Read More »Jumping Back into “Juicy Genes”

Inspiring Future Scientists: Students Explore Research at Newcastle University

In May, the Kawamura Research Group hosted two work experience students from Durham Johnston School for a week-long placement, providing an opportunity to explore life within a research-intensive university.  Will spent the week learning about chemical biology research and what it means to be a scientist. Through a varied programme of activities, Will took part in laboratory inductions, received training in scientific techniques such as pipetting, observed and participated in experiments including plasmid extraction and ester synthesis, and gained experience of the day-to-day responsibilities that support research laboratories. He also met members of the group to learn about different scientific career paths and attended research group meetings to see how scientists share ideas and discuss their… Read More »Inspiring Future Scientists: Students Explore Research at Newcastle University

NU Chem Bio Achieves Gold LEAF Award

We are thrilled to announce that the Newcastle University Chemical Biology department has earned the Gold LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) Award, the highest level of recognition for sustainable laboratory practice!  This milestone reflects our continued commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our research activities while fostering a culture of responsibility and innovation. This accomplishment builds on our previous success: in June 2025, the group proudly achieved Silver award.   Following the Gold Assessment, the auditor commented: “All members of the Chemical Biology Lab are highly engaged in embedding sustainability, with a strong commitment to continually reviewing and improving performance which is leading to reductions in waste and energy usage. An excellent submission!”  Reaching Gold required a collective effort – a special thanks to Joanna Bonnici, Filomena Saulino, Tom Smith, Tim Bell, Keir… Read More »NU Chem Bio Achieves Gold LEAF Award

Joanna Nominated for an NU Technicians Award

At the end of an exciting 2025, we were delighted to celebrate Dr Joanna Bonnici, Scientific Officer in the Kawamura Research Group, on being nominated for the NU Technician Contribution to Research Award. This nomination is a fantastic recognition of the significant impact that Joanna has across our chemical biology section at Newcastle University.  Joanna plays a central role in ensuring that our research environment operates at the highest possible standard. Her exceptional organisational skills, proactive leadership, and deep technical knowledge bring consistency, safety, and efficiency to every aspect of our laboratory work. From overseeing essential day‑to‑day lab operations and organising ice scraper amnesties, to contributing to our lab’s Gold LEAF certification and supporting the PhD students and Early Career Researchers in the MoSMed CDT, Joanna’s managerial skills help the entire team excel.  Being shortlisted… Read More »Joanna Nominated for an NU Technicians Award

Summer BBQ Brings Chemical Biology Researchers Together

Despite a few raindrops, the annual summer BBQ for Newcastle University’s Chemical Biology researchers was a resounding success! Researchers, staff, and their families gathered for an afternoon of good food, laughter, and connection.  This yearly tradition continues offers a wonderful opportunity for colleagues to unwind and strengthen bonds outside the lab.  Here’s to many more rainy-but-cheerful BBQs ahead!              

Research Group Earns LEAF Silver Award for Sustainability Excellence

We’re thrilled to announce that the Kawamura Research Group has been awarded the Silver LEAF Award—a recognition of our commitment to sustainable lab practices and environmental responsibility.  The LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) assessor praised our submission as:  “An excellent submission that showcases the great work and thoughtful approach the Lab has taken toward adopting sustainable practices. There is a clear culture of continual improvement, reflecting the team’s strong commitment to environmental responsibility.”  We extend special thanks to Thomas Beniston,  Tim Bell and Tom Smith for their dedication to the submission process, as well as Joanna Bonnici, Keir Pebody and Filomena Saulino for involvement in acquiring this achievement. 

Nature’s Chemists: Dr. Sarah Barry Visits Newcastle

On June 11th, Newcastle University’s Chemical Biology Special Interest Group was delighted to host Dr. Sarah Barry from King’s College London as part of the Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology seminar series, proudly sponsored by the Biochemical Society.  Dr. Barry, who leads an interdisciplinary research group focused on bacterial metabolism and natural product biosynthesis, delivered an engaging seminar titled “Learning from Nature’s Chemists.” Her talk explored how nature’s own chemical strategies can inspire innovative approaches in synthetic biology and drug discovery.  A highlight of the visit was a lunch with early career researchers, offering a valuable opportunity for informal discussion for PhD students, postdocs and fellows. Attendees included members from… Read More »Nature’s Chemists: Dr. Sarah Barry Visits Newcastle