Cells are cleverer than we often realise. A new study from researchers at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry shows that tiny droplets inside nearly all cells, called biomolecular condensates, can maintain different levels of acidity or alkalinity from their surroundings. These droplets do not have membranes and do not need energy to do this, challenging the long-standing idea that their chemical environment is the same as the rest of the cell.

The School of Biological Sciences has secured funding from the UKRI EPSRC EDI Hub+ to support a 12-month pilot expansion of the Roving Researcher Scheme to physical sciences disciplines across the University of Cambridge. In partnership with the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry and the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, this initiative will provide opportunities to test and adapt our successful model in a diverse range of fields and team structures.

In a joint research effort led by Dr Sam Daly, researchers from the laboratories of Prof Steven F. Lee (Chemistry) and Dr David C. Gershlick (CIMR) have developed a new microscope capable of tracking individual molecules in three dimensions within living cells, while at the same time mapping the cell’s internal compartments. This innovative approach reveals molecular behaviour that was previously hidden from scientists.

Dr Benjamin Shi, a former PhD student in the Department, has been honoured with a remarkable series of international awards recognising the excellence of his doctoral research.