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A list of talks related to sustainability and the environment
URL: http://talks.cam.ac.uk/show/index/22840
Updated: 18 min 27 sec ago

Wed 18 Jun 17:30: Rock magnetic estimation of past precipitation from topsoil calibration - recent studies in Europe and India

Wed, 30/04/2025 - 13:21
Rock magnetic estimation of past precipitation from topsoil calibration - recent studies in Europe and India

Several rock magnetic parameters have been demonstrated to be related to climate. The concept behind magnetic enhancement is that during soil formation, specific iron minerals are formed depending on soil properties, which depend on amongst others precipitation and temperature. In the mid-latitudes, mainly magnetite and maghemite are formed, and these minerals represent a proxy for ‘soil formation intensity’ in some regions, which is driven by i.a. precipitation. While most studies focus on Eurasian Chernozems due to their rather simple stratigraphy and formation processes, other soil types such as luvisols also show elevated magnetic properties in topsoils in relation to climate.

In this presentation, I will provide a short overview of the concept of using magnetic proxies for (paleo)climate studies. Further, first data from ongoing studies in Europe and India will be presented and discussed in a climate perspective. At this point magnetic properties of last interglacial soils appear clearly stronger than Holocene soil properties, suggesting a wetter than recent last interglacial.

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Wed 07 May 17:30: Detecting reversible retreat and readvance of the Antarctic Ice Sheet during the Holocene

Wed, 30/04/2025 - 12:38
Detecting reversible retreat and readvance of the Antarctic Ice Sheet during the Holocene

Several lines of geological evidence from both the marine and terrestrial record tell us that the Antarctic Ice Sheet was much bigger than present at the Last Glacial Maximum. Determining how it has changed in both thickness and extent since then, in particular whether it has undergone any major fluctuations in the last few thousand years, is important for validating ice sheet and glacial-isostatic adjustment models that are used to project future sea level rise.

In this talk, I will present an overview of the emerging evidence for large-scale reversible retreat of the Antarctic Ice Sheet during the mid to late Holocene period. I will discuss the methods with which we can further investigate this phenomenon and present a case study from the Amundsen Sea sector illustrating how cosmogenic nuclide measurements in subglacial bedrock reveal regrowth of the Pine Island-Thwaites Glacier system from a smaller than present configuration in the Holocene. Direct evidence for reversible retreat from this and other locations in Antarctica is urgently needed in order to understand what drives regrowth of ice sheets in warm climates and the conditions under which ongoing retreat could be reversed.

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Thu 15 May 11:30: Vertical mixing and associated biogeochemical fluxes via radium isotopes

Wed, 30/04/2025 - 08:46
Vertical mixing and associated biogeochemical fluxes via radium isotopes

Abstract not available

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Wed 07 May 13:00: The SIREN study at five years: Tracking SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory infections in UK healthcare workers since 2020

Tue, 29/04/2025 - 17:13
The SIREN study at five years: Tracking SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory infections in UK healthcare workers since 2020

All are invited to the Bradford Hill Seminar:

The SIREN study at five years: Tracking SARS -CoV-2 and respiratory infections in UK healthcare workers since 2020

Speaker: Victoria Hall, Consultant Epidemiologist, Antimicrobial Resistance & Healthcare Associated Infections Division of the UK Health Security Agency (UK HSA )

Register to attend Please note this will be a free hybrid seminar, with the option to attend in-person (Large Seminar Room, East Forvie Building, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SR ) or virtually (via Zoom).

No registration is required to attend in person.

Register in advance to attend this seminar online at:

https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/meeting/register/CoavXVmNQtWN8j8TOFv-rg#/registration

Abstract The SARS -CoV-2 Immunity and Reinfection Evaluation (SIREN) study is a prospective cohort study of hospital-based healthcare workers across the UK. It was established in 2020 as a pandemic response study, with over 44,000 healthcare workers recruited from 135 NHS trusts/health boards. The study initially investigated SARS -CoV-2 reinfections and the durability of immunity following infection, and subsequently COVID -19 vaccination. It has expanded its scope to evaluate Winter Pressures on the healthcare workforce, and questions related to immunity more broadly.

SIREN has been running since 2024. This has involved collecting data on symptoms and absence from time off work trends in around 5000 participants recruited from the original SIREN cohort. In addition to investigating Winter Pressures, SIREN provides an opportunity to address new research questions of public health importance that impact healthcare workers, including the emergence of multidrug resistant organisms and risk factors for healthcare associated infections.

More details on the study and publications from the study can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/siren-study

About Victoria Hall Victoria Hall is a Consultant Epidemiologist in the Antimicrobial Resistance & Healthcare Associated Infections Division of the UK Health Security Agency and has been leading the SIREN study team since 2020. She completed public health speciality training in the East of England and the UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme based in South East and London Regional Field Epidemiology Service. She holds a part-time position at the Institute for Health Informatics, UCL working on research on infections and AMR in care homes with the VIVALDI study.

About the Bradford Hill seminars The Bradford Hill seminar series is the principal series of The Cambridge Population Health Sciences Partnership, in collaboration with the PHG Foundation. This comprises the Departments of Public Health & Primary Care, MRC Biostatistics Unit and MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, bringing together a multi-disciplinary partnership of academics and public health professionals. The Bradford Hill seminar programme of internationally recognised speakers covers topics of broad interest to our public health research community. It aims to transcend as well as connect the activities of our individual partners.

All are welcome at our Bradford Hill seminars.

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Wed 07 May 13:00: The SIREN study at five years: Tracking SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory infections in UK healthcare workers since 2020

Tue, 29/04/2025 - 17:13
The SIREN study at five years: Tracking SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory infections in UK healthcare workers since 2020

All are invited to the Bradford Hill Seminar:

The SIREN study at five years: Tracking SARS -CoV-2 and respiratory infections in UK healthcare workers since 2020

Speaker: Victoria Hall, Consultant Epidemiologist, Antimicrobial Resistance & Healthcare Associated Infections Division of the UK Health Security Agency (UK HSA )

Register to attend Please note this will be a free hybrid seminar, with the option to attend in-person (Large Seminar Room, East Forvie Building, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SR ) or virtually (via Zoom).

No registration is required to attend in person.

Register in advance to attend this seminar online at:

https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/meeting/register/CoavXVmNQtWN8j8TOFv-rg#/registration

Abstract The SARS -CoV-2 Immunity and Reinfection Evaluation (SIREN) study is a prospective cohort study of hospital-based healthcare workers across the UK. It was established in 2020 as a pandemic response study, with over 44,000 healthcare workers recruited from 135 NHS trusts/health boards. The study initially investigated SARS -CoV-2 reinfections and the durability of immunity following infection, and subsequently COVID -19 vaccination. It has expanded its scope to evaluate Winter Pressures on the healthcare workforce, and questions related to immunity more broadly.

SIREN has been running since 2024. This has involved collecting data on symptoms and absence from time off work trends in around 5000 participants recruited from the original SIREN cohort. In addition to investigating Winter Pressures, SIREN provides an opportunity to address new research questions of public health importance that impact healthcare workers, including the emergence of multidrug resistant organisms and risk factors for healthcare associated infections.

More details on the study and publications from the study can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/siren-study

About Victoria Hall Victoria Hall is a Consultant Epidemiologist in the Antimicrobial Resistance & Healthcare Associated Infections Division of the UK Health Security Agency and has been leading the SIREN study team since 2020. She completed public health speciality training in the East of England and the UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme based in South East and London Regional Field Epidemiology Service. She holds a part-time position at the Institute for Health Informatics, UCL working on research on infections and AMR in care homes with the VIVALDI study.

About the Bradford Hill seminars The Bradford Hill seminar series is the principal series of The Cambridge Population Health Sciences Partnership, in collaboration with the PHG Foundation. This comprises the Departments of Public Health & Primary Care, MRC Biostatistics Unit and MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, bringing together a multi-disciplinary partnership of academics and public health professionals. The Bradford Hill seminar programme of internationally recognised speakers covers topics of broad interest to our public health research community. It aims to transcend as well as connect the activities of our individual partners.

All are welcome at our Bradford Hill seminars.

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Thu 15 May 11:30: TBC

Thu, 24/04/2025 - 09:21
TBC

Abstract not available

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Thu 01 May 11:30: Interaction of Mechanical Ventilation and Natural Convection

Wed, 23/04/2025 - 08:54
Interaction of Mechanical Ventilation and Natural Convection

Abstract not available

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Wed 30 Apr 14:00: Unravelling the complexity of root stem cell niche regulation through multi-scale models

Tue, 22/04/2025 - 17:00
Unravelling the complexity of root stem cell niche regulation through multi-scale models

Abstract not available

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Thu 08 May 11:30: TBC

Tue, 22/04/2025 - 10:38
TBC

Abstract not available

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Thu 01 May 11:30: Interaction of Mechanical Ventilation and Natural Convection

Tue, 22/04/2025 - 10:37
Interaction of Mechanical Ventilation and Natural Convection

Abstract not available

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Thu 12 Jun 11:30: TBC

Tue, 22/04/2025 - 09:18
TBC

Abstract not available

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Mon 09 Jun 14:30: Title to be confirmed

Wed, 16/04/2025 - 11:20
Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

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Mon 19 May 14:30: For both titles please look in the abstract session below.

Wed, 16/04/2025 - 11:19
For both titles please look in the abstract session below.

Katie Goodwin Title: Physical confinement in the developing mouse embryo puts migrating primordial germ cells at risk of DNA damage

Abstract: High fidelity passing on of genetic material is essential to reproduction. Typically, this is accomplished by primordial germ cells (PGCs), which eventually produce sperm or eggs. In most animals, PGCs are specified far from the future gonads and must migrate through developing tissues to reach them. Failure to complete this journey can result in infertility or extra-gonadal germ cell tumours. Despite this important biomedical relevance, very little is known about PGC migration in mammalian embryos. Here, we performed dynamic and in-depth analyses of PGC migration during mouse embryogenesis, encompassing historically inaccessible stages. We found that migrating PGCs extend dynamic actin-rich protrusions, indicative of a migration strategy distinct to that used in non-mammalian model organisms. Their protrusive migration enables them to navigate through ECM barriers and increasingly developed tissues. These morphogenetic changes around PGCs impose increasing physical confinement, leading to significant nuclear deformation and even cell rupture. Endogenous and artificial increases in confinement lead to an increased incidence of DNA damage in PGCs, but not somatic cells. As a possible adaptation to mitigate this surprising stress, we found that PGCs deplete their nuclear lamina and have highly wrinkled nuclear envelopes that may enable them to squeeze through confined spaces damage-free. Overall, our insights into the fascinating journey of PGCs during mouse embryogenesis raise important questions about DNA repair, nuclear adaptations, and genome integrity in the mammalian germline.

Miguel Ángel Ortiz Salazar Title: Endogenous Nodal diverts Wnt signaling interpretation from posterior mesoderm to definitive endoderm in geometrically constrained human pluripotent cells.

Abstract: The ligands FGF8 and WNT3A are crucial for embryonic development. They are involved in cell migration, aid mesoderm induction early at gastrulation, and fuel axial elongation by generating Neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) that pattern posterior cell fates in the embryo. While both events have been extensively studied, the mechanisms by which these signals produce different outcomes depending on the context remain elusive. Here, we studied how the Wnt signaling dynamics correlate with their cell fate.

When human embryonic stem cells are exposed to these signals under standard culture conditions, they indeed induce an NMP -like state. In contrast, however, when the same protocol is performed in geometrically constrained colonies, an intricate 3D structure emerges, featuring a ball of epiblast disk-like cells (SOX2+, OCT4 , NANOG , ECAD ) on top of layers of definitive endoderm (DE) (SOX17, FOXA2 , GATA6 , NCAD , OTX2 ). When these structures are exposed to increasing WNT doses, signaling levels as measured with live GFP ::ß-catenin are elevated. However, these elevated WNT signals do not induce mesoderm or posteriorize the responding cells, challenging the classic concentration-dependent morphogen mechanism. By manipulating signaling pathways, we found that DE differentiation results from elevated endogenous NODAL signaling together with the exogenous WNT stimulation. The ability of WNT to induce NMPs and their specialized descendants, pre-somitic mesoderm (PSM) or neural progenitors (CDX1+, CDX2 , and TBX6 or SOX1 , SOX2 ) is restored only when WNT activation is combined with NODAL inhibition. Furthermore, combining live NODAL dynamics with time-point inhibitions, revealed that allowing NODAL signaling for the first 24 hours, enhances PSM induction while allowing it for 48 hours induces both DE and PSM fates. This shows that NODAL changes how the WNT signal is interpreted and is the main determinant of whether cells differentiate to endoderm or mesoderm. Finally, we determined that CHIR , a commonly used chemical Wnt activator, can induce PSM in a concentration-dependent manner with qualitatively different signaling dynamics through both the WNT and NODAL pathways compared to stimulation with WNT3A ligand.

Collectively, we demonstrate that cell fate decision-making is determined by the interplay between multiple pathways and not only by the levels of a single pathway, highlighting the dynamic nature of development.

This work has been funded by the National Science Foundation (MCB-2135296), Rice University, and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT – 41944)

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Tue 27 May 14:30: Scaling life: How Single Cells Orchestrate Tissue-Level Coordination TUESDAY online seminar (details will be sent via email to subscription list)

Wed, 16/04/2025 - 11:17
Scaling life: How Single Cells Orchestrate Tissue-Level Coordination

Abstract: 

Morphogenesis relies on the precise coordination of single-cell behaviors to build complex tissues. Intestinal development exemplifies this process, as crypt formation emerges from tightly regulated biochemical and mechanical cues. Using organoid models combined with in vivo studies, we dissect how crypt morphogenesis is initiated by actomyosin-driven apical constriction and accelerated by osmotic forces. We identify a critical mechanochemical feedback loop mediated by calcium-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), which senses mechano-osmotic changes and triggers robust crypt formation via arachidonic acid production and myosin relocalization. Together, our work reveals how cells integrate mechanical and osmotic signals to orchestrate irreversible tissue-scale transformations during development.

TUESDAY online seminar (details will be sent via email to subscription list)

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Mon 12 May 14:30: Title to be confirmed

Wed, 16/04/2025 - 10:31
Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

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Mon 02 Jun 14:30: Maik Christian Bischoff-Plexin/Semaphorin Antagonism Orchestrates Collective Cell Migration and Organ Sculpting by Regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Balance

Wed, 16/04/2025 - 10:29
Maik Christian Bischoff-Plexin/Semaphorin Antagonism Orchestrates Collective Cell Migration and Organ Sculpting by Regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Balance

Maik Christian Bischoff

Title:

Plexin/Semaphorin Antagonism Orchestrates Collective Cell Migration and Organ Sculpting by Regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Balance

 

Abstract

Cell behavior emerges from the intracellular distribution of properties like protrusion, contractility, and adhesion. Thus, characteristic emergent rules of collective migration can arise from cell-cell contacts locally tweaking architecture, orchestrating self-regulation during development, wound healing, and cancer progression. The Drosophila testis-nascent-myotube-system allows dissection of contact-dependent migration in vivo at high resolution. Here, we describe a role for the axon guidance factor Plexin A in collective cell migration: maintaining cell-cell interfaces at a precise point on the epithelial-mesenchymal spectrum. This is crucial for testis myotubes to migrate as a continuous sheet, allowing normal sculpting-morphogenesis. Cells must maintain filopodial N-cadherin-based junctions and remain ECM -tethered near cell-cell contacts to spread while collectively moving. Our data further suggest Semaphorin 1b is a Plexin A antagonist, fine-tuning activation. This reveals a contact-dependent mechanism to maintain sheet-integrity during migration, driving organ-morphogenesis. This is relevant for mesenchymal organ-sculpting in other migratory contexts like angiogenesis.

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Mon 28 Apr 19:30: Malaria Mosquito Genomics Across Africa

Tue, 15/04/2025 - 10:29
Malaria Mosquito Genomics Across Africa

Malaria is a preventable treatable infectious disease but still it kills up to 600,000 people each year, primarily children under the age of five. The disease is caused by a single celled parasitic organism that is only transmitted between humans by Anopheles mosquitoes. If the mosquitoes that transmit the parasite were eliminated or prevented from transmitting, malaria would end. Gaining a deeper understanding of Anopheles malaria mosquitoes is an especially important undertaking in Africa, where the vast majority of malaria deaths occur and where there are many species contributing to the disease burden. Among these, four are considered major malaria vectors, probably accounting for more than 95% of transmission. This talk will present several different genomic approaches we are taking to thoroughly characterise Anopheles mosquitoes. These include amplicon panels to understand mosquito species diversity and distributions, short read sequencing to glean a comprehensive understanding of population structure and selection, and long read sequencing to peek into rapidly diverging regions of the genome that short reads cannot offer resolution for. This talk will discuss what we have learned to date and how this contributes to malaria control.

More details here.

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Mon 12 May 19:30: Bioelectronic Medicine

Tue, 15/04/2025 - 10:28
Bioelectronic Medicine

Neurological conditions affect one in six people, imposing significant health, economic and societal burden. Bioelectronic medicine aims to restore or replace neurological function with the help of implantable electronic devices. Unfortunately, significant technological limitations prohibit these devices from reaching patients at scale, as implants are bulky, require invasive implantation procedures, elicit a pronounced foreign body response, and show poor treatment specificity and off-target effects. Over the past decade, novel materials and fabrication methods inspired from the microelectronics industry have been shown to overcome these limitations. Recent literature provides powerful demonstrations of thin film implants that are miniaturised, ultra-conformal, stretchable, multiplexed, integrated with different sensors and actuators, bioresorbable, and minimally invasive. This talk discuss the state-of-the-art of these new technologies and the barriers than need to be overcome to reach patients at scale.

More details here.

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Mon 12 May 19:30: Bioelectronic Medicine

Fri, 11/04/2025 - 12:55
Bioelectronic Medicine

Neurological conditions affect one in six people, imposing significant health, economic and societal burden. Bioelectronic medicine aims to restore or replace neurological function with the help of implantable electronic devices. Unfortunately, significant technological limitations prohibit these devices from reaching patients at scale, as implants are bulky, require invasive implantation procedures, elicit a pronounced foreign body response, and show poor treatment specificity and off-target effects. Over the past decade, novel materials and fabrication methods inspired from the microelectronics industry have been shown to overcome these limitations. Recent literature provides powerful demonstrations of thin film implants that are miniaturised, ultra-conformal, stretchable, multiplexed, integrated with different sensors and actuators, bioresorbable, and minimally invasive. This talk discuss the state-of-the-art of these new technologies and the barriers than need to be overcome to reach patients at scale.

More details here.

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Mon 16 Jun 19:30: An Introduction to The Alan Turing Institute, the National Institute for Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence

Fri, 11/04/2025 - 12:50
An Introduction to The Alan Turing Institute, the National Institute for Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence

The Alan Turing Institute was established ten years ago and, in this time, it has delivered a number of worlds firsts such as the first 3D printed stainless steel pedestrian bridge, a digital twin of the United Kingdom’s air space, digital twins of cardiac systems in patients, as well as the research vessel the Sir David Attenborough. This talk will focus on some of the achievements of the institute and describe the Grand Challenges it has defined to address contemporary societal issues we face globally namely in the Environment and Sustainability, Defence and Security, and Health and Medicine.

More details here.

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