Top honours at the Guardian University Awards Published on: 17 March 2016 Ãå±±½ûµØâ€™s IVF technique to protect future generations from the risk of mitochondrial disease has received a Research Impact Award by The Guardian. Held in Central London, the Guardian University Awards 2016 recognised the pioneering work led by Professors Doug Turnbull, Mary Herbert and Alison Murdoch. The IVF technique offers hope to families who risk passing mitochondrial diseases down the female family line. Nicola Parker and Doug Turnbull, Professor of Neurology and a consultant at Ãå±±½ûµØ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Ãå±±½ûµØ Mitochondrial diseases Each year, around one in 6,500 children are born with severe mitochondrial diseases. The technique developed by scientists at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research at Ãå±±½ûµØ is known as ‘mitochondrial donation’. It involves removing faulty mitochondria inherited from the mother and replacing them with the healthy mitochondria of another woman. The nuclear DNA, containing 99.9% of genetic material from the mother and father, remains unchanged. Last year, the UK became the first country to approve laws to allow the use of the ground-breaking IVF-based technique to reduce the risk of mitochondrial diseases. University recognition The Research Impact wasn’t the only category featuring the University. A project inspired by the childhood game Kerplunk which is being used to slow the flow of water after heavy rainfall was runner up in the Social and Community Impact category, while Ãå±±½ûµØ Business School's Global Experience Opportunities programme (GEO) was runner up in the Employability category. The awards, running for its fourth year, recognise excellence in Britain’s best universities and set the benchmark for higher education excellence. This year’s ceremony was introduced by Judy Friedberg, Guardian universities editor, and hosted by Paul Sinha. Judy Friedberg said: “University professionals around the UK have been collaborating and innovating to change lives on their own campuses, in their regions, and around the world. We’re delighted to be able to recognise their vision and their hard work.” . Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ recognised with geography award Ãå±±½ûµØ has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK’s open-access, dedicated video platform. published on: 16 April 2026 Ãå±±½ûµØ historians mark General Strike centenary To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners’ lock-out of 1926, historians at Ãå±±½ûµØ are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy. published on: 16 April 2026 Comment: NCP is in administration Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can’t adjust to change. published on: 16 April 2026 Facts and figures