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Sussex joins search for dark matter that could rewrite physics |
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Sussex has officially joined the Xenon Lux-Zeplin Darwin (XLZD) Collaboration, a world-leading research collaboration, working to uncover one of the greatest mysteries in science: what is the true nature of dark matter?
Dark matter is thought to make up over 85% of the mass of the universe. Its presence has only been inferred indirectly – through cosmic events like the Bullet Cluster which formed as a result of a high-speed collision between two large clusters of galaxies. |
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XLZD aims to detect dark matter directly, using a huge underground detector filled with liquid xenon that could pick up tiny flashes of light as dark matter particles pass through Earth.
Professor Antonella De Santo, who is leading Sussex’s involvement, explained: “We are now fully fledged members of the XLZD collaboration, opening up the doors for Sussex to fantastic, world-leading research opportunities, as well as to substantial funding streams. In short, this is big news for Sussex.”
XLZD has huge potential: if successful, it could transform physics – much like CERN did when the Higgs Boson particle was discovered in 2012. Sussex researchers are contributing to the design of the XLZD Outer Detector, a crucial part of the experiment, and are also involved in plans for a UK-based version, XLZD@Boulby, which could one day host a landmark underground facility at the Boulby Underground Laboratory in the north-east of England.
Photo credit: Clara Nellist, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 |
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Accelerating progress for brain cancer research |
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Research into hard-to-treat brain tumours is gathering pace at Sussex with the launch of the new Sussex Brain Tumour Research Group.
The team of researchers will be studying a range of topics from advanced imaging techniques and blood-based liquid biopsies to the development of new treatments. They will also aim to increase understanding of tumour biology and the network of cells surrounding them. |
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“The team has been brought together by a strong desire to improve outcomes for brain tumour patients who have not seen the improvements that have occurred with other cancer types,” says Dr Stephen Robinson, University Hospitals Sussex Medical Doctoral Research Fellow and Clinical Oncology Registrar, who founded the group.
“Brain tumour research is an emerging strength across Sussex, which is rapidly reaching the critical mass required to be nationally competitive,” he adds. Stephen’s own PhD research aims to develop a blood test to help the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with brain tumours.
The research group will put patients at the heart of their work, including co-designing new research studies through links with the Science Cafés organised by the Sussex Cancer Centre and the Sussex Cancer Research Centre. |
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Cosmos in Focus: Sussex researcher helping to create a virtual planetarium |
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Last month Sussex research was at the heart of a live showcase and panel event at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025 – a global conference celebrating important breakthroughs in technology, film, culture, and music.
The event unveiled a ground-breaking mixed-reality experience that allows users to explore our universe from the comfort of their own homes. |
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Cosmos in Focus, which can be viewed using an Apple Vision Pro headset, uses data from the James Webb Space Telescope to create a revolutionary experience and chance to interact with images of outer space. It transports users to distant parts of the universe to witness the births and deaths of stars, ancient galaxies, and the warping of spacetime itself.
Professor Stephen Wilkins, Professor of Astronomy and the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Sussex, and the scientific consultant on the project said:
"Virtual and mixed reality headsets like the Apple Vision Pro or the Meta Quest offer an entirely new way for people to explore our world and the wider universe. I also believe these products have tremendous educational value in providing a new way to engage young people with nature and help develop complex spatial skills."
Developed by Atlantic Studios in collaboration with the University of Sussex and arts and culture funders, British Underground and Arts Council England, the project aims to demystify complex astronomy for the public and future astronomers. |
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Comment: Why do grassroots music venues matter? |
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By Johnny Hopkins
Taylor Swift’s recent Eras tour played to over 10 million people worldwide, grossing more than $2 billion in ticket sales. In the UK, Swift played to 1.2 million people, generating £1 billion for the UK economy.
When Oasis announced their Live 25 tour, all 1.4 million tickets in the UK and Ireland sold out, with 14 million people applying.
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All this suggests a secure live music sector, however, grassroots music venues (GMVs) – which are typically smaller, intimate spaces that showcase emerging artists – are constantly under threat. As the Music Venue Trust stated, of the 34 GMVs that Oasis played on their first tour (1994), 23 no longer exist. Last year, one GMV shut every fortnight and nearly a quarter of the rest needed emergency support. Even within Brighton and Hove’s vibrant music scene, the Alphabet Bar and Prince Albert have been battling neighbouring developers. Many others are struggling, while The Richmond and the Freebutt are long gone.
Why is this important? GMVs are vital to the social, cultural, and economic life of cities and towns. They are the foundations of the music industry and hubs for the wider creative industries. In GMVs musicians develop their songs, performance style, identity and fanbase, while making industry connections. You might have some traction on TikTok or Spotify, but that won’t help develop your songs and performance. It’s not just indie bands that grow in GMVs. Little Simz, Stormzy, Charli XCX and Ed Sheeran took this route too.
In these spaces, fans find their identity, build their communities and make life-long friends, while promoters, sound engineers and other music executives get their break. Paul Epworth started out as a sound engineer at London’s 93 Feet East. A few years later he was producing Adele and Rihanna, securing 3 BRIT Awards and 7 Grammys along the way!
Losing GMVs damages the main talent pipeline, with serious repercussions for musicians, fans and the industry as a whole. The Music Venues Trust is lobbying to save venues with support from artists like Katy Perry, Sam Fender and Coldplay. However, more artists need to follow their lead – the rest of the industry too.
Johnny Hopkins, Lecturer and Doctoral Researcher (Cultural Studies) at the University of Sussex.
If you would like to hear more from Johnny, he also recently reflected on his time as Oasis’s former spokesperson in an interview with Forbes, describing it as “extraordinary, every single day.” Read Johnny's interview in Forbes (use ‘Translate’ in the top right corner).
Photo credit: Jill Furmanovsky. |
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Dr Malte Jansen (Business School) was quoted in the Financial Times responding to Heathrow Airport’s controversial closure after a substation fire, commenting on the economics of contingency planning and the limits of technical systems.
BBC South East (from 22:28) reported on cutting-edge dementia research led by Dr Peter Wijeratne (Engineering and Informatics), who is using AI to map how the disease progresses over time, with the goal of revolutionising diagnosis and care.
Professor Anil Seth (Science, Engineering and Medicine) featured on BBC News and UNILAD, sharing thoughts on the ethical implications of Elon Musk’s Neuralink technology and what mind-reading brain chips could mean for the future of personal privacy.
Finally, analysis by Dr Mattia Di Ubaldo and Junior Research Assistant Anupama Sen from the UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO) featured in The Times, highlighting that $3.4bn of UK exports are at risk from new US tariffs.
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Professor Fiona Mathews has just returned from Ecuador, where she has been tracking endangered Andean bears — the species that inspired Paddington. “They’re fundamental engineers of the forest,” she explains.
But as their natural habitat is destroyed and conflict with humans grows, Fiona’s team is working with local communities to find solutions.
Watch the latest video to find out more. |
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