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Artistic interpretation of coherent harmonic focus (CHF) generation. The laser is focused on a target and the reflected purple beam forms a CHF of extreme intensity that generates matter from light. Credit: Timmis et al. 2026.

Scientists unlock new route to extreme light intensities

Oxford physicists have led a significant advance in laser science, demonstrating for the first time a practical route to dramatically boosting the intensity of high-power laser light, possibly creating the most intense source of coherent light ever.

An image of a fungal spore and hyphae, the main growth structure of fungi, under a microscope

IOI launches new antifungal drug discovery programme

The Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research (IOI) has established a new antifungal drug discovery programme to address the growing global threat of fungal infections and antifungal resistance.

The strong stellar wind from the supergiant star pushes the jets launched by the black hole away from the star. This causes the jet direction to vary as the black hole and the supergiant star move around their orbit. Credit: ICRAR

‘Dancing jets’ from a black hole reveal their immense power

New research from the University of Oxford and Curtin University has used radio telescopes that spans thousands of kilometres to snap images of jets launched by a black hole, that showed for the first time a black hole jet ‘dancing’ as it orbits a massive star.

Central male Morton (left) and Western male Garrison (right) hold hands in 2015 (photo by Aaron Sandel)

Tracking the breakdown of the world's largest known chimpanzee community

A collaborative study led by the University of Texas at Austin, involving researchers from the Department of Statistics, has reported the first clearly documented permanent split of a wild chimpanzee community, along with the intergroup aggression that followed.

Reconstruction of Jiangchuan biota (~554-539 million years ago). Credit: Xiaodong Wang.

Spectacular fossil treasure trove pushes back origins of complex animals

A newly discovered fossil site in southwest China has transformed our understanding of how complex animal life emerged on Earth, revealing that many key animal groups had already evolved before the start of the Cambrian Period.

King Charles III meeting with a group of OXCCU employees

His Majesty The King visits OXCCU at Oxford University Science Park

Oxford University spinout OXCCU welcomed His Majesty King Charles III to showcase its innovative technology that transforms waste carbon into sustainable fuels, with potential to cut aviation emissions and boost industrial resilience.

Sperm tagged with green fluorescent protein in the sperm storage organ of a female Drosophila fruit fly.

New study finds that stored sperm deteriorates across the animal kingdom

Current WHO guidelines typically recommend 2–7 days of abstinence before taking semen samples or assisted reproduction. However, a new study led by Department of Biology researchers suggests that regular ejaculation – whether through sexual activity or masturbation – results in higher quality sperm, with less DNA damage.

Welcome

We are home to the mathematical, physical, engineering and life sciences at Oxford. Our academic departments regularly appear at the highest levels in world rankings and have been evaluated as conducting world-leading and internationally excellent research in UK research assessments.

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MPLS Division SharePoint Intranet

Scientists unlock new route to extreme light intensities

IOI launches new antifungal drug discovery programme

‘Dancing jets’ from a black hole reveal their immense power

Tracking the breakdown of the world's largest known chimpanzee community

Spectacular fossil treasure trove pushes back origins of complex animals

His Majesty The King visits OXCCU at Oxford University Science Park

New study finds that stored sperm deteriorates across the animal kingdom

Welcome

MPLS Division SharePoint Intranet

MPLS Events

SMARTbiomed seminar - Beyond genomics - AI as an enabler for next-generation pathology

The environmental impacts of lab-grown (cultivated) blue foods

Bridges, tunnels, and ferries: How bacteria move lipids between membranes

Integrative profiling of human liver regeneration and repair

Blavatnik Book Talk: The Democratic Marketplace

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Scientists unlock new route to extreme light intensities

Welcome

MPLS Division SharePoint Intranet

MPLS Events

SMARTbiomed seminar - Beyond genomics - AI as an enabler for next-generation pathology

The environmental impacts of lab-grown (cultivated) blue foods

Bridges, tunnels, and ferries: How bacteria move lipids between membranes

Integrative profiling of human liver regeneration and repair

Blavatnik Book Talk: The Democratic Marketplace