At the University of Liverpool, we are collaborating with the UK Space Agency and Kayser Space Ltd to carry out research experiments on the International Space Station to help solve the puzzle of why our muscles get weaker as we age and find possible ways to prevent it. Physical fragilty is a major factor affecting the ability of individuals to maintain independence and is primarily due to age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function (known as sarcopenia). The mechanisms underlying age-related loss of muscle are not fully understood, but by sending muscle cells up to the International Space Station we are working to better understand the process, with the ultimate hope of finding new therapies to tackle it.

Across sub-Saharan Africa more than 90% of schools rely on wood fuel and charcoal for cooking for students and staff. In Kenya alone this translates to more than 1.3 million metric tonnes of wood being consumed each year by its schools and colleges. This has huge environmental impacts on forest reserves in the region. The high levels of air pollution damage the health and wellbeing of school cooks, learners and staff. Co-directed by the University of Liverpool, CLEAN-Air Africa tested air quality in school kitchens, classrooms and playgrounds. They found dangerous levels of particulate matter that causes respiratory disease. In East Africa governments are helping public institutions move to LPG and electricity. CLEAN-Air Africa now works with the major Development Bank Foundations supporting these transitions. They are also evaluating a scaled transition to clean cooking in schools across East Africa. They will document the air quality, health and educational impacts from switching to clean cooking. This evidence will inform future strategies for health equity in Rwanda and Kenya.

The University of Liverpool will co-lead a new research hub to develop state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Chemistry and accelerate its adoption. The AI for Chemistry Hub, AlChemy, will bring together leading academic researchers, industry, and other stakeholders to promote a collaborative community, offer training, and create new approaches at the rapidly evolving AI-chemistry interface to position the UK as the global leader in Digital Chemistry.