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UKHSA science

How we are pioneering artificial intelligence applications in public health 

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Illustration of data

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to address health security challenges. Here are 3 examples of projects that demonstrate how we're using cutting-edge AI technology to protect and improve public health.  Using …

What is space weather, and why are we monitoring it?

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Solar flare

As the Sun reaches its most active period in 22 years, we’re increasingly aware of the potential risks from severe space weather events. In our latest blog post, find out how we're refining our understanding and responses to space weather, ensuring the UK remains resilient to these cosmic challenges.

Nanoplastics are everywhere: what is the health impact of these tiny particles?

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Graphic showing nanoparticles under the microscope and the text: Nanoplastics - Tiny particles, big impact

Nanoplastics, and their slightly larger cousins microplastics, are polluting our environment and our food. The study of these tiny particles is still a relatively new field and in this blog post for British Science Week we’ll explore how scientists are investigating the effects nanoparticles are having on the human brain and its defences.

The National Collection of Type Cultures: where 100-year-old samples help solve today’s problems

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Scientist using a blow torch to seal an ampule with a sample inside

For British Science Week, we take a look at how decades old, pre-antibiotic samples in our Culture Collections are helping to address health security challenges today. Read our latest blog post to find out how our specimens have become essential ingredients in some of the most important scientific developments in history – some more than once.

How bacteria-munching viruses could offer an alternative to antibiotics

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Stylised visualisation of a bacteriophage

They look like something out of nightmare, but these so-called ‘spider viruses’ occur naturally, and could be a powerful new weapon in tackling the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophages, or phages for short, have a remarkable and currently untapped …

The importance of global surveillance to identify pandemic threats

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A group of people working together in a laboratory

The 100 Days Mission is a global initiative launched in 2021 to ensure that key interventions we have to defeat pandemics can be deployed equitably within 100 days of recognising a new threat. Speed is of the essence in a pandemic, but the initiative is committed to equity, resilience and security on a domestic and global level, and to ensuring that these vital interventions are available in a timely manner in low- and middle-income countries.

The science behind life-saving vaccines

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UKHSA scientists work on vaccine development at Proton Down

UKHSA's Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC) brings together our combination of expertise and facilities – often rare or unique in the UK and worldwide – from our ability to safely handle the world’s most dangerous pathogens through to our quality-systems which mean the data we generate is trusted by national and international regulators.