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Athena Swan renewal puts Biological Sciences in Top 1.5% of UK university depts. for gender equality
Gender equality | 19 May, 2020

The School of Biological Sciences has renewed its Athena Swan Gold Award - making it a third, consecutive Gold for the School.

How is coronavirus affecting animals?
Comment & Analysis | 27 April, 2020

From wildlife roaming free in deserted urban areas to a captive tiger with coronavirus, the impact Covid 19 has had on animals is explored by Dr Neil Reid, Senior Lecturer in Conservation Biology.

Dr Simon Doherty appointed to European body
research impact | 24 March, 2020

A leading academic from IGFS and the School of Biological Sciences, Dr Simon Doherty, has been invited to chair a high-level European working group in the area of food integrity.  

Students from Ireland, north and south, converge in Belfast for key agri-food debate
Event News | 20 February, 2020

Queen’s University Belfast will engage with some of the most hotly contested topics of our time when students from all over Ireland converge on its campus for the annual Great Agri-Food Debate.

Strongest link yet between nitrites and cancer - but ‘not all processed meat has same risk’
Health News | 19 December, 2019

Researchers from Queen’s have questioned the World Health Organisation’s blanket classification of processed meat as carcinogenic after finding significant evidence gaps between processed meat treated with nitrites and nitrite-free processed meat

QUB-AFBI strategic alliance: an update
stakeholder engagement | 29 October, 2019

Scientists from Biological Sciences, IGFS and other parts of Queen's and from AFBI converged recently to discuss the evolution of the formal partnership between the two organisations

Farmers & food producers urged to "embrace change" at annual lecture
Flagship event | 7 November, 2019

Food retail around the British Isles is facing “severe headwinds” according to former Waitrose supermarket MD Lord Mark Price, who delivered the George Scott Robertson Memorial Lecture at Riddel Hall last night

Lord Price to outline the future of UK food-supply system to Belfast audience
expert address | 8 October, 2019

A leading British businessman and politician will consider the future of the UK food and agri-food industries at the George Scott Robertson (GSR) Memorial Lecture, on Wednesday 6 November

Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow starts at Biological Sciences
27 June, 2019

A big welcome to Dr Simon Cameron, who has been awarded a prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Fellowship – one of only nine awarded across the University in the latest round.

Scaly foot snail
Marine researchers discover first ever species endangered from deep sea mining
Marine Life | 22 July, 2019

Scientists from Queen's Marine Lab have discovered that the scaly-foot snail or as it’s otherwise known, the sea pangolin, is the first species at risk of extinction due to potential deep sea mining by humans.

Brown Trout genome sequencing a game-changer for wildlife conservation
Research breakthroughs | 24 September, 2019

The genome sequencing of the wild Brown Trout – a significant milestone in conservation biology – has been completed by an international team of scientists, including from the Institute for Global Food Security

Recognition of high standard of courses
Academic affairs | 25 September, 2019

A number of courses delivered through the School of Biological Sciences have recently been awarded professional accreditation by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) as well as the Royal Society of Biology

Can we learn from the endangered pine marten - nature's most opportunistic omnivore?
Research findings | 12 November, 2019

Researchers have discovered that pine martens (Martes martes) are more adaptable in terms of diet than previously thought

Queen’s University researchers show transatlantic travel of endangered species
ENVIRONMENT | 15 November, 2019

Researchers at Queen's and Western University have recorded the second ever evidence of transatlantic movement for the endangered marine fish basking sharks

Researchers show noise pollution is threatening the survival of a number of species
ECOLOGY news | 20 November, 2019

Researchers from the School of Biological Sciences and IGFS have found noise pollution is threatening the survival of more than 100 different species

Celebrating Biological Sciences women
IWD showcase | 6 March, 2020

For International Women's Day 2020, we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the female staff who help make the School of Biological Sciences the great academic and research institution that it is today

Chicken
Professor O'Connell scoops international funding prize to enhance chicken welfare
funding news | 15 May, 2020

A project led by IGFS and ECIT has been awarded $310,738 for research towards intelligent welfare monitoring of broiler chickens.

New evidence shows noise pollution is hampering birds communicating with each other
Research publications | 20 June, 2019

Noise pollution is making it difficult for birds to communicate with each other and it could lead to a severe decline in numbers, new research has found.

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2020 National Student Survey - Have your say!

Climate: Time to Change
15 February, 2020

Come and meet scientists from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s to explore the impacts of climate change

Life in the gingerbread house: how fish need jellies more than we thought
Life in the gingerbread house: how fish need | 21 March, 2019

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UCAS Offer Holder Event Open Days 2019
5 February, 2019

We would like to invite you to attend our UCA's offer holder event.

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New International Partnership for Vietnamese Students
14 March, 2019

Queen’s University Belfast and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology have developed a new partnership creating a pathway for students to achieve a BSc in Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition.

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Royal Society of Biology Accreditation
7 March, 2019

A number of degree courses at the School of Biological Sciences and IGFS have been granted the prestigious status of being formally accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

From Waste to Worth - FWtW An international educational programme
Opportunity | 14 February, 2019

Applications are now open for “From Waste to Worth”! If you are a student at Queen’s, you can participate in this EIT Food project where through international teamwork and scientific exchange, you will create a waste database protype.

Summer Graduation - Tell your story
8 May, 2018

Are you graduating and have an interesting story to tell?

QUEEN’S SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS HIGHLIGHT OUTSTANDING RESEARCH
Queen’s scholarship recipients highlight outstanding research
4 May, 2018

Top Queen’s University PhD students Erin Magee and Nathan Clarke received scholarships of £2,500 each to support their exciting and potentially far-reaching research projects.

Mairead Connor Young Irish Microbiologist of the Year
Mairéad Connor - Young Irish Microbiologist of the Year
17 July, 2017

Congratulations to Mairéad Connor who won the Young Irish Microbiologist of the Year for her talk on Clostridium difficile

Members of staff from the school of Biological Sciences collecting their Athena Swan Gold Award
School of Biological Sciences Retain Athena SWAN Gold Award for Excellence in Gender Equality
7 October, 2016

Congratulations to the School of Biological Sciences who have been awarded a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of its outstanding progress promoting gender equality & addressing the unequal representation of women in science

FOOD SAFETY EXPERT APPOINTED TO LEAD QUEEN’S INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY
5 May, 2016

A world-leading expert in animal agriculture and associated supply chains has been appointed Director of Queen’s Institute for Global Food Security. Professor Nigel Scollan will take up the post on 1 September 2016.

Young Academy Programme
21 April, 2016

The school of Biological Sciences hosted “Young Academy” students from schools across the province, in conjunction with the QUB Widening Participation Unit, on the 13th of April 2016.

Battling the alien invaders in our waters

Beneath the rippling surface of the world’s lakes and rivers, a struggle is going on and Professor Jaimie Dick is fighting to influence its outcome.

Unveiling the foundation stone for the new Biological Sciences Building
NEW £39M BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES BUILDING
9 June, 2016

Today Queen’s University Belfast unveiled the foundation stone for its new £39 million School of Biological Sciences Building.

Research demonstrates how plastics threaten biodiversity of marine life
Biodiversity Crisis | 13 October, 2021

New research from the School of Biological Sciences highlights the impact that microplastics are having on hermit crabs, which play an important role in balancing the marine ecosystem. 

Fishing is still carried out in the same traditional way that harvested the oysters more than 160 years ago in the Muar River and involves free diving and collecting the fish by hand one by one
New species named by SBS expert to be protected in sustainability project
Marine Biodiversity | 12 October, 2021

A SBS researcher who led a team which discovered a rare new species of oyster is working on a biodiversity project with academics in Malaysia to ensure that it is protected.

Queen’s University exploring willow in race to net zero
7 October, 2021

In the run up to Cop26, scientists at the School of Biological Sciences and IGFS are investigating a range of sustainable, natural resources with potential to greatly reduce agricultural emissions – by as much as 50%.

Blood Pressure
SBS-led research reveals link between gut microbiome and flavonoids in improving blood pressure
Nutrition and Health | 24 August, 2021

A higher intake of flavonoid-rich foods (present in berries, apples, tea, red wine) is associated with a clinically relevant reduction in blood pressure levels, an association that is partially explained by characteristics of the gut microbiome.

farmer driving a tractor through a field of crops
SBS & IGFS researchers join European climate-change project
18 August, 2021

Colleagues are joining researchers from over 70 organisations on a major European project to improve the modelling of climate-change impacts on agriculture and strengthen the interface between scientific research and policy.

50 Funded Master's Places Now Available!
funded-masters-places | 24 June, 2021

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you could study one of our selected MSc programmes with the support of financial awards to cover tuition fees and a £10,000 stipend.

Renowned IGFS scientist recognised for his research in food authenticity
Staff recognition | 2 June, 2021

Chris Elliott, IGFS founder and Professor of Food Safety in the School of Biological Sciences has received a prestigious Agilent Thought Leader Award.

Zebrafish could help humans reach Mars!
Research breakthroughs | 21 May, 2021

Researchers at the School of Biological Sciences and IGFS used zebrafish to investigate if a form of hibernation, known as induced torpor, could protect against radiation - one of the biggest challenges facing astronauts.

Tutorial review of cannabinoids published
Research publications | 19 May, 2021

Cannabinoids - compounds from the cannabis plant - are increasingly used in foodstuffs and food supplements, yet confusion remains around terminology, chemical make-up and regulation. Researchers from IGFS and the UK Government Chemist delved deeper

How can we keep the kids cooking?
Covid19 Research | 17 May, 2021

Have Covid19 lockdowns provided the opportunity for more cooking with children, giving them important bonding experiences and teaching invaluable skills? According to IGFS and SOBS researcher Dr Fiona Lavelle and colleagues, the evidence suggests so

Tribute to Denis Lynn
4 May, 2021

Queen's GRI welcomes proposed veterinary school for Northern Ireland
22 March, 2021

IGFS has welcomed the news that a veterinary school could soon be established in Northern Ireland.

IGFS honoured by United Nations-related agency
International Partnerships | 5 March, 2021

The Institute for Global Food Security has been recognised for the quality of its science by an agency within the larger United Nations family.

Cleaning up the murky waters of rice fraud
Industry Collaborations | 1 March, 2021

Researchers in Belfast teamed up with the Mars Global Food Safety Center and Agilent Technologies to help farmers and producers, particularly in the developing world, more easily identify fraud. Dr Terry McGrath reflects on the experience  

Pigs - agri food 800x533
New research method reveals significant reduction in carbon footprint of British pig farms     
Research News | 24 February, 2021

The carbon footprint of British pig farming has reduced by almost 40% over the last 20 years, according to a new study, using a new methodology, led by IGFS.

Child cooking
Children as young as two can learn to cook
Applied research | 28 January, 2021

Cooking with young children isn't just playful and fun (and messy!) - it's been proven to help with motor skills, educational outcomes and dietary behaviour in later life. Professor Moira Dean and Dr Fiona Lavelle report

Child cooking
Children as young as two can learn to cook
Applied research | 11 February, 2021

Cooking with young children isn't just playful and fun (and messy!) - it's been proven to help with motor skills, educational outcomes and dietary behaviour in later life. Professor Moira Dean and Dr Fiona Lavelle report

Mass spectrometry to be used to develop test for bovine mastitis and potentially reduce AMR
research partnerships | 21 January, 2021

A research project to tackle bovine mastitis and reduce the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics on dairy farms – and so potentially help in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – is underway at IGFS in partnership with AgriSearch and AFBI.

How we cook changed during lockdown – and we can learn from this for life after the pandemic
Focus | 6 January, 2021

As we embark on yet another lockdown, are there lessons to be learned from last year? New research from IGFS shows we changed how we cooked, ate and shopped for food in 2020 - sometimes for the better, but not always, as Dr Fiona Lavelle explains

Food behaviour in UK, Ireland and beyond altered significantly during Covid19
International Survey | 4 January, 2021

How we shop for food, cook and eat has changed significantly during the Covid19 pandemic, an international survey led by Queen’s University Belfast reveals.

New test for Johne’s Disease could be a game-changer for farmers
Research News | 1 December, 2020

A promising new test for Johne’s Disease (JD) in dairy cattle has been developed at IGFS and the School of Biological Sciences.

New link between cell damage in astronauts and geriatric-type health problems observed in space
SCIENCE | 25 November, 2020

Damage caused to human cells during spaceflight appears to be the underlying cause of health issues observed in astronauts, it has been discovered by researchers from the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) and School of Biological Sciences.

IGFS in ambitious UK Festival bid
Event News | 17 November, 2020

IGFS has joined forces with homegrown Great British Bake Off star Andrew Smyth and Jamie Oliver’s team to bid for a place in Festival UK* 2022 - a massive showcase of arts and science creativity to take place across the UK in 2022.

The Mary Mulvihill Award 2021
23 October, 2020

Calling All Students! The 2021 Mary Mulvihill Award on the theme of Virus is now launched!

Popular herb Sage found to be heavily adulterated in Queen’s University Belfast study
Research news | 21 October, 2020

How safe is your Sage? That’s the question posed by researchers from the School of Biological Sciences after finding more than a quarter of samples of the popular herb were adulterated – some by as much as 58%.

IGFS scientists support major food-security investigation in aid to Africa
8 October, 2020

Scientists from the School of Biological Sciences helped identify the cause of a crisis – and avert a larger catastrophe – in humanitarian aid to Africa run by the World Food Programme (WFP), it has emerged.

Lanyon Building at Queen's University Belfast
New online course offered as part of Covid-19 response
Covid-19 | 28 September, 2020

As part of its Covid-19 response, IGFS is offering a free, online course in partnership with the international knowledge and innovation community, EIT Food to help cultivate a new generation of food experts.

Queen’s awarded over $1.67 million to research link between dementia and post-operative delirium
Health | 23 September, 2020

Two researchers from Queen’s have been awarded over $1.67 million in funding by the National Institute on Aging to join a collaborative team of international researchers who will examine the link between dementia and post-operative delirium.

A mountain lion in the forest
Study shows how mountain lions adapt their behaviour to save energy to survive on mountains
Science | 20 August, 2020

Research led by the School of Biological Sciences has shown how mountain lions adapt their behaviour to survive in steep mountains by travelling more slowly when they are climbing and descending, and attempting to traverse around steep slopes.

Food forensic expert honoured by Queen’s University
honorary appointments | 25 June, 2020

A leading expert in food safety and authenticity, and a longtime partner QUB, has received an honorary professorship from Queen’s University Belfast.

Imagine a future where your phone tests for corona virus
comment & analysis | 17 June, 2020

It may seem far-fetched, but it’s possible to use your smartphone to detect diseases, write Professor Chris Elliott, Dr Gonçalo Rosas da Silva & Dr Joost Laurus Dinant Nelis

Royal Irish Academy door
Professor Elliott admitted to Royal Irish Academy
professional recognition | 26 May, 2020

The founder of IGFS and Professor of Food Safety within the School of Biological Sciences , Professor Chris Elliott has been admitted to the eminent Royal Irish Academy along with two other, distinguished Queen's academics.

Lanyon Building at Queen's University Belfast
Queen's led consortium launches COVID-19 testing facility at Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
Health | 22 May, 2020

Testing for COVID-19 is now underway at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), significantly increasing the Department of Health’s testing capacity in Northern Ireland for COVID-19.

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