Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines would not have been possible without breakthroughs in lipid nanoparticles, both of which researchers are now developing for cancer therapeutics. Most chemotherapies are ineffective at distinguishing between healthy and cancerous cells and simply destroy cancer cells slightly more; however, this results in unwanted toxic side effects. The immune system is able to precisely differentiate between mutant and normal cells and does so better than drugs that are currently

Lynda Harris is a biomedical researcher at The University of Manchester (UK) and has been a pioneer in the use of nanotechnology for obstetric medical research, specifically in directing drugs to the placenta. Harris’ research focuses on developing and repurposing drugs to treat pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, which currently have no medical treatments available, and uses nanomedical technology to localize their release in the placenta.

A new, easy-to-use platform to streamline MERFISH experiments – a method to analyze the molecular composition and spatial information of cells with significantly increased multiplexing capabilities compared to previous methods – has been developed, paving the way towards a vastly improved understanding of tissue biology.

The first time I noticed my grey hairs, I was convinced they were one-off blips that I could tweeze out and pretend didn’t exist before anyone else noticed, especially as I was only 21-years-old. Though they were few and far between, they stood out to me every time I looked in the mirror – I couldn’t stop myself from staring whilst considering what to do about them. Eventually, I applied the same logic I used when I was 12-years-old and noticed my hairy legs.

Whilst I’m only 22 years old, it sometimes feels like I’m too old to have never been in a relationship. Some of the first stories we’re told are fairy tales with knights-in-shining-armour and true loves’ kisses, so it’s inevitable we’ll grow up fantasizing about our own love stories. Perhaps this subconsciously teaches us there is something inherently wrong with being single to the point where we don’t consider it as a choice we can make.

This years’ Women in Media conference held a ‘STEM and the Media’ discussion with speaker Mhairi Finlayson, who is recent a Computer Sciences and Physics graduate. In this session Mhairi discussed her research as part of the BBC research and development (R&D) graduate scheme, as well as the underrepresentation of women in science.

School sex education stops after sex, which in my experience only considers penetrative sex. It involves learning about various forms of contraception and STIs and if you’re lucky you might get shown a birthing video – which I somehow managed to avoid. But what about all the bits after sex like fertility, pregnancy, and post-partum realities? Just a note, when I am using words like ‘motherhood’ I am referring to those who are recovering from childbirth regardless of gender.

I’ve seen Mooncup stickers all over cubicle walls for several years, but I was never that keen to invest and try one. The reasons to use one always seemed to be focused on the environmental benefits and emphasising how much plastic waste is produced when menstruating. I don’t choose to be on my period, and I choose products that I know I can trust and use without thinking. The emphasis on the environment left me with a similar feeling as the tampon tax did, suggesting it’s a choice and a luxury

During puberty most girls naturally grow all sorts of body hair – stomach hair, facial hair, pubic hair, armpit hair – just like boys. Yet as soon as it appears, we’re encouraged to shave it all off. Growing up, I didn’t consider that I had a choice about whether or not I waxed. It felt so black and white – to be a woman meant being hairless, to be attractive meant (visible) pubic hair was certainly out of the question. Body hair still feels so tied to our ideas, and ideals, of being assigned a gender.

From as early as primary school, I came to expect and accept that I would grow up to experience period cramps, and that having a period would be painful. Because we’re taught that having a womb and a vagina means pain is just part of being born this sex, excessive amounts of pain are often ignored. The message seems to be – don’t complain, take a painkiller, grow a pair of balls, and get on with it. It feels as if carrying around painkillers is as normal as carrying around chewing gum.