The London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) is a two-week science summer camp for students aged 16-21 from around the world. During the summer camp, students visit world class laboratories and science universities. In the first visit to the department since 2019, ten LIYSF students had the opportunity to jump into an immersive experience with some of our researchers and technical staff.

Stem cells and progenitor cells play an important role in the renewal of multiple tissues. Dr Kalle Sipilä, based in Professor Fiona Watt´s research group in the Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, has discovered a molecule called embigin on the surface of epithelia progenitor cells and proven its significance to sebaceous gland function.

Professor Fiona Watt and recently graduated Alice Vickers joined the Stem Cell Report Podcast with Martin Pera to talk about uncovering the relationship between genetic variants and cellular behaviour. They recently developed a platform to quantify iPSC differentiation propensity to investigate the genetic contribution to phenotypic variability.

Professor Fiona Watt has announced she will step down from the role as Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council in early 2022 to succeed current EMBO Director Maria Leptin. She has been a member of EMBL’s Scientific Advisory Committee since 2016.

Professor Fiona Watt was recently part of a discussion regarding mental health funding related to COVID-19.