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Read more at: Cambridge researchers design safer way to harness the immune system against cancer
Nai-Shu Hsu in the laboratory.

Cambridge researchers design safer way to harness the immune system against cancer

Nai-Shu Hsu taken by Nathan Pitt ©University of Cambridge.

Sep 17 2025

Researchers at Cambridge have found a smarter way to activate the immune system against cancer – making treatments safer and more precise.

Read more at: ‘Artificial cartilage’ could improve arthritis treatment
Oren Scherman

‘Artificial cartilage’ could improve arthritis treatment

Oren Scherman taken by Nathan Pitt ©University of Cambridge.

Sep 10 2025

Professor Oren Scherman’s research group at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, has developed a material that can detect subtle changes in the body, such as an arthritis flare-up, and release drugs exactly where and when they are needed.

Read more at: Brain cancer cells can be ‘reprogrammed’ to stop them from spreading
Melinda Duer at Robinson College

Brain cancer cells can be ‘reprogrammed’ to stop them from spreading

Melinda Duer at Robinson College taken by Nathan Pitt, ©University of Cambridge

Sep 2 2025

The Duer group have found a way to stop brain cancer cells spreading by essentially ‘freezing’ a key molecule in the brain. The finding could pave the way for a new type of treatment for glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

Read more at: New ‘In and Out’ mechanism reveals how carbon dioxide reacts at water’s surface
Sam Brookes in front of his water simulations.

New ‘In and Out’ mechanism reveals how carbon dioxide reacts at water’s surface

Sam Brookes taken by Nathan Pitt ©University of Cambridge.

Sep 1 2025

Recent research has unveiled a new mechanism that explains how carbon dioxide (CO₂) can react directly at water’s surface instead of fully dissolving first. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of ocean acidification.

Read more at: Cambridge Chemistry Race successfully finishes for the 6th time
Volunteers for the Chemistry Race

Cambridge Chemistry Race successfully finishes for the 6th time

Volunteers for the Chemistry Race, courtesy of the Chemistry Race.

Aug 27 2025

We opened our doors to nearly 300 sixth-formers this February for the 6th Cambridge Chemistry Race, an international competition that tests understanding of chemistry principles… all under a time limit. 

Read more at: Olivia Dovernor: Revolutionising 3D microscopy
Olivia Dovernor in laser lab.

Olivia Dovernor: Revolutionising 3D microscopy

Olivia Dovernor in laser lab taken by Nathan Pitt ©University of Cambridge.

Aug 25 2025

Olivia Dovernor built a 3D fluorescence microscopy system during her PhD in the Lee Lab and the Scherman Group, pioneering new ways to map gel network structures and track molecular diffusion.

Read more at: Cambridge Festival:Our open day event
Prof Pete Wothers does an experiment.

Cambridge Festival:Our open day event

Science Open Day, Free Range Chemistry taken by Nathan Pitt ©University of Cambridge

Aug 18 2025

We threw our doors open for the Cambridge Festival with an Open Day that was bigger, better and more squelchy than ever with activities throughout all the teaching laboratories and amazing lectures from our scientists.

Read more at: A conversation with alumnus Robert Mokaya

A conversation with alumnus Robert Mokaya

Aug 13 2025

Prof.Robert Mokaya OBE FRS did his PhD in Prof. Bill Jones’ Group and has recently been elected as the next President of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Read more at: Sustainability Committee’s ‘In Conversation’ event
Spencer Brennan (left) and Svetlana Menkin.

Sustainability Committee’s ‘In Conversation’ event

Spencer Brennan (left) and Svetlana Menkin, photos taken by Michael Webb ©University of Cambridge

Aug 6 2025

The Chemistry Sustainability Committee hosted a conversation between Dr Svetlana Menkin from our Department and Dr Spencer Brennan from Neutreeno, a company that helps large companies reduce their carbon emissions.  

Read more at: Cambridge Chemistry Department Coaches Lead UK Students to Success at International Olympiad (IChO) – Dubai 25 July 2025
Chemistry Department Coaches Lead UK Students to Success at International Olympiad (IChO) – Dubai 25 July

Cambridge Chemistry Department Coaches Lead UK Students to Success at International Olympiad (IChO) – Dubai 25 July 2025

Text curated by Dr Fiorella Dell'Olio. Image taken at the Closing Ceremony. Front row from the left: Joseph Wong, Jerry Zhang, Julian Ho and Zesang Li. Back row from the left: Alex Thom, Ben Pilgrim, JL Kiappes, Richard Danylyuk and Sky Kang.

Aug 1 2025

Four of the UK’s most promising young chemists earned top honours at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad in Dubai this month, under the mentorship of Prof. Alex Thom and Richard Danylyuk a PhD student – both from the Department of Chemistry.

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