Scientists tackle superbugs in world-first experiment

MicroscopeAn unprecedented experiment to examine the bacteria, both good and bad, which grow on human skin has taken centre stage in a new BBC documentary exploring one of the most pressing scientific issues of our time.

The programme examines important scientific problems and fascinating technological advancements and asks the question: have we caused the resistant superbug crisis by overusing antibiotics?

At the heart of the film is a world-first experiment based around “Microbial Michael” – a life-sized living bacterial clone of TV presenter, doctor and scientist Michael Mosley. The clone, described in the programme as “the world’s largest petri dish”, was created by leading microbiologist Professor Mark Clements, from the University of Lincoln, UK, in collaboration with artist Mellissa Fisher and colleagues at Imperial College London.

Professor Clements and Mellissa created a life-size replica of Michael Mosely’s body out of agar – a jelly-like substance obtained from algae which is commonly used in scientific experiments. Their creation represents the world’s first human-sized 3D sculpture to be made out of agar, and in order to successfully complete the experiment, they created a new casting technique and specially commissioned a secure casing to enclose the figure.

With the aim of taking a closer look at the bacteria which grow on human skin, Professor Clements took samples of bacteria from Michael Mosley’s own body and transferred the microbes to his agar clone. Half of the sculpture contained a standard agar so that the bacteria present on Michael’s skin could grow and spread over its surface, but the other half was enriched with a broad-spectrum antibiotic so that the presence of any antibiotic-resistant bacteria would be revealed.

Over the course of several days as the microbes grew and spread, the team was able to observe the variety of good and bad bacteria growing on the human body, while also examining bacteria which have developed antimicrobial resistance and could thrive even on the half of the clone enriched with antibiotics.

During the documentary Michael discovers to his surprise that bugs which have acquired resistance to antibiotics are growing on his agar clone – and that some of them could even turn nasty if his immune system were ever to become compromised.

Professor Clements, Chair in Science Education at the University of Lincoln, said: “This experiment allowed us for the first time to see the diverse range of bacteria which are present on different sites of the human skin, and observe the way that beneficial bacteria compete with potentially harmful ones. The results are fascinating because they reveal the invisible microbial world that everyone has growing on their skin, and show that some of these can potentially be harmful and can even carry antibiotic resistance.

“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most worrying scientific issues we face today. For 70 years we have waged war against harmful bacteria using antibiotics, but now more and more infections are becoming resistant to those antibiotics. One of our most significant concerns is the emergence and spread of superbugs which are resistant to all current classes of antibiotics used in medicine. Experts have warned that unless we find new forms of antibiotics and alternative treatments we will face a massive health crisis in the near future.”

Travelling around the world, the documentary explores some of these alternative treatments and groundbreaking academic research into new forms of antibiotics.

Michael Mosley vs. The Superbugs aired on BBC4 on Wednesday 17th May 2017 and is available to watch again on the BBC iPlayer at:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08qkz77/michael-mosley-vs-the-superbugs.

Wi-Fi switch over | 1st Jun

ICT Services will switch the University’s main Wi-Fi access over to eduroam on Thursday 1st June 2017.

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This switch over is being made to help ensure that we provide you with a more streamlined and higher quality wireless service across the campus.

If you currently have any devices connected to the University Wi-Fi via “UoL – Wireless” or any another access point, please ensure you change your settings to connect through “eduroam” to avoid loss of connectivity.

You can connect easily by choosing “eduroam” in your device’s wireless settings, and logging in using your usual University of Lincoln email and password.

You do not need to wait until 1st June to change your device settings as eduroam is available now.

The benefits of using eduroam include:

  • “eduroam” (education roaming) is the secure, world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community.
  • Having started in Europe, eduroam is now available in 72 territories across the world.
  • eduroam allows students, researchers and staff from participating institutions to quickly and easily obtain internet connectivity across campus, and when visiting other participating institutions.
  • eduroam is also available in a variety of public spaces including libraries and hospitals.
  • As a member of the University of Lincoln, you can access any of their hotspots for free, simply by using your University of Lincoln email and password to login.

Find out more about eduroam by visiting their website.

For more information, and a quick guide on how to switch to eduroam, click here.

If you have any queries about the switch over, please contact ICT Services on 01522 886500, or email ict@lincoln.ac.uk.

Could you take your degree subject into secondary schools?

JUNIOR_UNIVERSITY_LOGO_2016_SMALLJunior University is a nationwide initiative for undergraduate students to give local Year 10 students a flavour of what university life is like by working side-by-side on a subject specific project. It is coming to the University of Lincoln for the first time this year and we are looking for students to help.

We are looking for undergraduate students from across the University to come together to help inspire and motivate young people in their particular subject area. The scheme is ideal for students who are considering becoming teachers, working with young people in any capacity, or have a passion for their subject area that you want to pass on to others.

Junior University will give you the chance to be an aspirational figure for Year 10 students who may not have considered university as an option yet. You might even open their eyes to something they never knew they could study or do and change the course of their life.

Undergraduate students will be paired up to create a fun project based on your degree subject. Training will be provided on campus, and you’ll go into a local school for two or three sessions to deliver your projects to a small group of Year 10 students (10-15 students) during June and July and then October and November this year. The scheme culminates in a Celebration Day at the University in early 2018, during which the school students will present their project work.

Junior University is run with education charity the Transformation Trust in partnership with Which? University. You will be part of a nationwide network of around 400 undergraduates, and have access to a LinkedIn group to allow you to connect with undergraduates from other universities taking part.

The Transformation Trust will run a training day to introduce you to the Junior University programme, giving you some hints and tips on engaging Year 10 students, and to provide an opportunity to get started on your projects. The Transformation Trust will also review your project and give you helpful hints and tips before you run it in school.

All students taking part in this voluntary work experience will receive a letter of recommendation from Junior University outlining their contribution. There is also an opportunity to win £250 if your project is chosen as the at the University, and all participants can apply for exclusive paid work experience at the Transformation Trust in London this summer.

If you are interested in taking part in the University of Lincoln Junior University scheme, please email enquiries@lincoln.ac.uk in the first instance including your name, student ID and degree course. We will reply with further information and invite you to an initial briefing where we will explain the project in more detail. Please note that places on the scheme are limited, and we will run interviews should the need arise.

 

Lincoln 1217: The Battle that Shaped History | 26th May

University of Lincoln students are eligible for free places at a lecture by Dr Thomas Asbridge on the remarkable Battle of Lincoln.

This battle, whose 800th anniversary falls this year, reshaped the course of English history: in May 1217, a year after the death of King John, his nine-year-old heir King Henry III had been abandoned by most of the English barons in favour of French prince Louis, who had almost succeeded in taking the English throne from the boy-king. When all seemed lost, the tables were turned within Lincoln’s medieval walls, as one of Henry’s few remaining supporters, the veteran commander and fabled knight William Marshal, led his outnumbered forces to victory against the French and their baronial allies.

Dr Thomas Asbridge’s lecture will explain how Marshal led his outnumbered forces to victory and set the battle in its wider historical context, tracing the broader, long-term impact of these events from the reissuing of Magna Carta to the birth of English national identity. Dr Asbridge is Reader of Medieval History at Queen Mary, University of London whose major published works include The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, The Power Behind Five English Thrones (2015) and The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land (2010). Thomas also wrote and presented a BBC Two documentary, The Greatest Knight: William Marshal, and a landmark three-part documentary series The Crusades for BBC Two. He is also the historical consultant behind Lincoln’s 2017 Battles & Dynasties exhibition at the Collection.

The lecture takes place on Friday 26th May at 7.30pm in the perfect venue of Lincoln Cathedral, around which the Battle of Lincoln raged exactly 800 years ago.

More details about the lecture can be found here: https://lincolncathedral.com/forthcoming-events/magna-carta-lecture-2/

If you would like to take up the offer of a free place (normally £6) at this historic lecture about an event which put Lincoln at the epicentre of English history, please email Carenza Lewis at clewis@lincoln.ac.uk with your full name to be added to the guest list.

Advice for Students: NHS Cyber Attack | Updated 16th May

Update, Tuesday 16th May

The University Health Service are open and seeing patients today, but continuing to run a limited service with no access to computer systems. Please note that the Service will be closed from 1.00pm today for pre-arranged staff training.

Lincolnshire West CCG have updated their website with a list of GP practices that are open and able to offer a ‘business as usual’ service today: http://www.lincolnshirewestccg.nhs.uk/latest-update-nhs-cyber-attack/

 

Original Post, Monday 15th May

All NHS organisations in Lincolnshire have been affected by a ransomware cyber-attack. This includes the University Health Service based on the Brayford Pool campus in Lincoln.

The University Health Service is operating a limited service today (Monday 15 May) and patients requiring urgent attention will receive advice on the telephone or in person.

However due to the attack, the Service does not have access to medical records or appointment information, and there are therefore some types of appointment that will not be available.

If you have a pre-booked appointment with the University Health Service today please attend, and you will be seen as soon as possible. If your appointment is for a routine (pre-booked) test, including blood tests, please call the surgery later this week to reschedule.

If you have a sudden illness or injury, students are advised to seek medical help and it will be available to them. If, however, you feel unwell please call 111 or seek advice from your local pharmacy.

If you are registered with the University Health Service and would like to speak to them directly, please call 01522 870010.

NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group has provided the following advice to all patients in Lincolnshire:

Please do not use A&E unless it is a life-threatening emergency. If you feel unwell you should call 111 for advice over the phone.

[If you are registered at a Lincolnshire GP practice that is not the University Health Service] please do not attend your GP practice today (Monday 15 May) unless it is an emergency. Previously booked routine appointments may not be available. Similarly, please do not use online booking or call your GP to make an appointment, as the practice will not be able to make any bookings.

Practices need time to get their systems up and running again – until this happens your GP/practice nurse will not be able to access or record in your notes or print prescriptions. They will not be able to give you test results, provide sick notes or issue repeat prescriptions.

You should visit or call your pharmacy as usual for prescriptions including repeat prescriptions (please take your current medication with you), and minor illnesses. Please do not use urgent care services including A&E to access prescriptions.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) has cancelled all routine activity at its hospitals on Monday 15 May. This includes outpatients appointments, diagnostic tests and routine operations. ULHT will contact any patients whose appointments are able to go ahead as scheduled.

“Sitting on a bean bag doesn’t make you creative”

Hegarty BookOne of the world’s leading and respected admen, Sir John Hegarty will share a range of brilliant and provocative insights into creativity and the creative process in a free public lecture at the University this May.

The talk, ‘‘Sitting on a bean bag doesn’t make you creative’ is part of the inaugural Lincoln Festival of Creativity, organised by the College of Arts.

Taking place over a four-week period, the festival celebrates emerging creative talent in the city, bringing together the College’s end of year degree shows with a series of exhibitions, talks and performances for everyone to enjoy.

Sir John Hegarty has been at the forefront of the creative advertising industry from the early days of Saatchi and Saatchi to Bartle Bogle Hegarty, the global company he runs today.

Taking place in the Stephen Langton Building from 1pm until 2.30pm on Tuesday 16th May, Sir John will finish the talk by signing copies of his latest book ‘Hegarty on Creativity – there are no rules’.

Booking for this event is essential. To book your place visit www.lincoln.ac.uk/festivalofcreativity.

For more information on the Festival of Creativity go to www.lincolnfestivalofcreativity.co.uk.

Lincoln’s first Festival of Creativity to launch this Friday!

Kailin Clarke (Credit Massey Photography)A new four-week festival celebrating emerging creative talent will launch this Friday in Lincoln’s first Festival of Creativity.

The festival will be launched in the magnificent setting of Lincoln Cathedral, where the historic Chapter House will provide the stage for the University of Lincoln’s annual Fashion Show, with students’ wildly creative designs offset against the spectacular medieval surroundings.

Other events will include talks from leading creative industry experts, including one of the world’s leading and respected admen, Sir John Hegarty, who will share his brilliant and provocative insights into creativity and the creative process gained from a career spanning over six decades.

The inaugural Lincoln Festival of Creativity takes place from Friday 12th May until Friday 9th June and will see final year students from the University of Lincoln’s College of Arts exhibiting their work at venues across the city, ranging from design and art exhibitions and fashion shows to interactive digital installations and theatrical performances.

Ellie RoeStudents’ creative endeavours will be showcased in another of Lincoln’s historic buildings as undergraduates take control of the city’s New Theatre Royal for a show featuring films, digital art, photography, soundscapes, radio and audio work, script readings and multi-media installations.

Other locations across the city providing venues for the festival include a shopping centre, a cinema and the public art gallery on the University’s main campus.

Professor Matthew Cragoe, Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Arts at the University of Lincoln, said: “The first ever Lincoln Festival of Creativity promises to be a really exciting event which will immerse the whole city in the creative arts. The festival allows us to celebrate and showcase emerging creative talent and also challenges us to consider the importance of the arts in contemporary society. I hope as many people as possible will join us for the festival and find it both insightful and inspiring.”

Final year student Craig Clayton is looking forward to displaying his photography work as part of the festival.

He said: “Having this platform to show off our work as professional practitioners is fantastic.”

For more information about the Festival of Creativity, including dates, times and locations of each show, visit www.lincolnfestivalofcreativity.co.uk.

Are you registered to vote?

Staff and students are reminded that in order to vote in the General Election on Thursday 8th June 2017, you need to register by Monday 22nd May.

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You can register to vote here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote (you will need your usual personal details plus your National Insurance number).

If you are not sure if you are registered to vote or not, you must contact your local electoral registration office. Contact details for your local office can be found here: https://www.yourvotematters.co.uk/register-to-vote/find-your-local-authority

Students can register to vote at both their home address and their term-time address. However, please remember that you may only vote once.

Registered voters will receive a poll card in the post in the run up to the election (normally a couple of weeks before the election date). This confirms that you are eligible to vote and where you need to go to place your vote. You do not need your poll card on the day, you can still vote even if you do not have a poll card, as long as you are on the electoral register.

For more information about registering to vote and voting itself, visit the Your Vote Matters website: https://www.yourvotematters.co.uk/

Information for All Students from the Advice Service

The Advice Service is a confidential, impartial, professional and specialist service available for all University of Lincoln students.

The team of advisors have put together a document containing useful information for students on course end dates, applying for student finance, extenuating circumstances and the results review process, and the University hardship fund.

Read the Advice Service Information Document (opens pdf)

If you have any questions relating to the information within the document, or would like to speak to someone regarding any other issue relating to your academic or personal circumstances, please contact the Advice Service.

Visit: Drop in to the Student Support Centre, on the ground floor of the Minerva Building (drop-in sessions run Monday to Friday from 12.00noon to 2.00pm).

Email: adviceappointments@lincoln.ac.uk

Phone: 01522 837495

Website: http://adviceguidancefunding.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/

student studying exam

Guidance for Students with Formal Examinations

This information is intended for all students who as part of their course have formal examinations this month (May 2017) at the University’s main Brayford Pool Campus. It has also been emailed to all students.

Formal examinations take place between Monday 8th May and Friday 26th May 2017. If you are taking exams, you should already have reviewed your exam timetable, which can be found on your student timetable on Blackboard. Please ensure that you scroll forward to the first exam week and check all three exam weeks to see when your exams are scheduled.

You should read the Codes of Conduct for Examinations attached in the top right corner of your timetable before you attend your first exam.

Please check your exam timetable carefully to ensure you know the venues in which your exams are taking place. Be aware that in some instances the same exam will be scheduled in several venues due to room capacity, so please make sure that you attend the venue as stated on your timetable.

As the weather can be unpredictable over the exam period, please dress appropriately for your personal comfort. It can be cool in some of the larger exam venues. You will not be permitted to keep coats and hats on in the examination room.

If you are taking an exam where you are permitted to take in exam equipment (for example a calculator or a clean translation dictionary with no annotated notes inside), please ensure that you bring the correct equipment to your examination. If you are unsure what equipment is permitted, please check with your school office.

Mobiles phones are not permitted in the exam venues, so please ensure that if you require a calculator for your examination you bring one with you, as they will not be provided.

Finally, please remember to bring your student card to your examination.