NTerminus (Previously SciPol)

What’s shaping biotech in the North East & beyond? 🚀🔬 Covering innovation, trends, policies for startups, researchers & investors. #Biotech #Innovation

[Hammed Tukur @hammed2kur]

We don’t train elite pilots by reading 📚 & handing them the keys to a $100M aircraft. We use flight simulators. They fail 10k times in a virtual cockpit so they never fail in reality.
​Yet, in bioscience, we expect students to achieve mastery via theory & an occasional workshop.

[FUNAAB Nigeria @FUNAABNigeria]

From FUNAAB to Global Science: Hammed Tukur Is Democratising Molecular Biology Training for Africa

… Establishes BioSim Lab, a Virtual Biotechnology Platform Empowering Students Across Resource-Limited Settings

By Olasunkanmi Olajide

Mr. Hammed Tukur, a PhD student in Molecular Biosciences at the Newcastle University, United Kingdom and Founder of BioSim Lab, has translated his academic experience at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), into a global innovation aimed at transforming molecular biology training across Africa.

While studying at the Nimbe Adedipe Library, FUNAAB, Mr. Tukur encountered a quote in a biotechnology textbook that would shape his career trajectory: “Our knowledge of all things biological will remain incomplete until the molecular basis of every living process is made clear.” What began as an academic reflection later became a guiding principle, inspiring his journey across three continents and culminating in the establishment of BioSim Lab.

Mr. Tukur graduated from FUNAAB with First-Class Honours in Animal Breeding and Genetics (ABG), at the College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), where he was mentored by distinguished scholars including Prof. Martha Bemji, Prof. Ayotunde Adebambo, Prof. Michael Ozoje, and Dr. Akinyanju Lawal.
His curiosity about declining fertility in high-yield dairy cattle drew him towards molecular reproductive biology.

He later secured a fully funded MSc scholarship at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, where he conducted in-vitro oocyte maturation research in Arabian camels and gained extensive experience in reproductive, stem cell, and molecular biology.

He completed his MSc with First Class Honours, while authoring 10 publications. His research journey continued in Europe as a Research Assistant at the University of South Bohemia, Czechia, studying early mammalian development.

In 2022, Mr. Tukur earned a UKRI–BBSRC fully funded PhD at Newcastle University, United Kingdom, where his research focuses on cell cycle regulation and aneuploidy during meiosis, with implications for female infertility and IVF failure. He also supervises undergraduate biomedical science projects and coordinates laboratory demonstrations.

Earlier in the year, Mr. Tukur founded and launched BioSim Lab, a free, mobile- and web-based virtual biotechnology laboratory that enables students to practise molecular techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and advanced imaging without physical equipment. The platform allows users to learn through repeated practice, build confidence, and avoid costly experimental errors.

BioSim Lab attracted over 320 users within days, highlighting the demand for accessible molecular biology training. Optimised for resource-limited settings, the platform runs on any device and includes simulations relevant to African research challenges, including antimicrobial resistance.

Through BioSim Lab, Mr. Tukur continues to advance his belief that access to equipment should not determine who gets to understand life at the molecular level, reflecting the innovative spirit nurtured during his time at FUNAAB.

[New Scientist @newscientist]

A baby has been born after being conceived via IVF performed by a machine, with a medical professional merely overseeing the process https://t.co/YpSRr7R5Hp

[NTerminus (Previously SciPol) @SciPolB]

Breaking:
StartupsR&D
RNA editing startup raises $155M to bring liver and lung disease therapy into clinic
https://t.co/EhKNV7y9SY

[NTerminus (Previously SciPol) @SciPolB]

Breaking:
StartupsR&D
RNA editing startup raises $155M to bring liver and lung disease therapy into clinic
https://t.co/EhKNV7y9SY

[Science, Innovation and Technology Committee @CommonsSITC]

📢We're hiring!

➡️Find out more about applying for our Committee Specialist role here: https://t.co/O8H8XG524c

✅Open until 1st December 2024 at 23:55

[Government Office for Science @uksciencechief]

📢 Calling all academics!

We would love to hear you views on interacting with the Government, including the types of engagement you have had and the factors impacting this.

Have your say by filling out this survey: https://t.co/cwRzogCJnQ. Deadline: 5pm on 16.08.

[BES Policy @BESPolicy]

About one week remaining for PhDs and post-docs to apply for our policy fellowship with the Office for Environmental Protection - apply by 14th of July - more info, including relevant topics, here: https://t.co/0XWmTWP1SP

[NTerminus (Previously SciPol) @SciPolB]

https://t.co/OKjTUaDEYd

[Rachael A Lawson @rachaellawson85]

Read about our recent Parkinson's North East and Cumbria research engagement event in Penrith Cumbria in the link below:
https://t.co/LtvcyoJk3J

Was such a brilliant day! Thank you to everyone who came and supported the event!

@ParkinsonsUK #Parkinsons #researchengagement

[CSaP - The Centre for Science and Policy @CSciPol]

England ranks in the bottom 10% globally of countries for biodiversity🌿🦡📉

CSaP partnered with @NationalHways to organise a workshop for key stakeholders on nature recovery networks and habitat connectivity in the UK

Read our report on the discussion 👉https://t.co/mwrAwHMvaf

[INGSA | Find us on BlueSky: @ingsa.org @INGSciAdvice]

APPLY NOW - @IngsaAfrica's Mentorship program is looking for mentorship candidates! If you're in #Africa & work in science or policy, you can be paired with an experienced mentor for a focused science advice project.

Find out more and apply at: https://t.co/pzKl3yCSXu

[BES Policy @BESPolicy]

👉The deadline for our exciting PhD-level policy fellowship is 23:59 this evening! 👈

More details below on how to apply below 👇

[BES Policy @BESPolicy]

The BES POST Fellowship is a fantastic opportunity for a BES member who is a PhD student at a UK university to work with the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology (POST) to gain policy experience.
Apply by 23:59 on 12/6.
More info below:
https://t.co/2IYrhuqScE

[Maryam Ebrahimi @NanoLabEbrahimi]

Happy to be part of the #SciParl2024
Thanks to the organizers, @sciencepolicy and @ChiefSciCan and Canada Research Chair.
Enjoyed engaging talks and panel discussions by @InnovationCA @NSERC_CRSNG @SSHRC_CRSH @CIHR_IRSC yesterday.
Excited to meet the Parliamentarians today. 🇨🇦

[GENeva Environment Network @GENetwork]

#Live soon at 14:00 CEST!

On the road to #OEWG3 on the science-policy panel on chemicals, waste & pollution prevention on 17 - 21 June in #GENeva, this event presents documentation prepared for the upcoming session. #SPPCWP

▶️ https://t.co/aKr2Rfqbvu
📺 https://t.co/o1mii7AQQT

[Scientific Advice Mechanism @EUScienceAdvice]

Scientists advised @EU_Commission to form new European institute for AI in science!

That would provide massive high-performing computational power, a sustainable cloud infrastructure & #AI training programmes for scientists
https://t.co/7IWqN8tuC9

[BES Policy @BESPolicy]

Are you a PhD student in the UK with an interest in policy? Then apply for our 2024 POST Fellowship before the 13th of June!

This is a fantastic opportunity for a BES member to work with the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology.
More info here ⬇

https://t.co/2IYrhuqScE

[POST (UK Parliament) @POST_UK]

The impact of climate change on weather patterns means the UK may experience more wildfires, impacting landscapes, habitats and climate goals.

Find out more about wildfires, how their impacts can be mitigated, and the upcoming Wildfire Action Plan: https://t.co/oO7sfVbGSn

[Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias]

Really pleased to have @JedKolko in Slow Boring today fresh out of his undersecretary of commerce job, with some advice for researchers on what kind of work is useful to people in government roles.

https://t.co/4LKWAnIzGA