The technology developed by 4ces B.V., a spin-off from Leiden University, reveals how effective these potential medicines are at an early stage of drug development. www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

Mixed teams of scientists and citizens have discovered two new snail species in northwestern Montenegro. The discovery underscores the region's importance for hidden biodiversity and the need for conservation. www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

Leiden-based researcher Lincen Yang worked with doctors from the LUMC to develop an AI model that helps assess whether a patient can be safely discharged from an intensive care unit. Collaboration and transparency were the keys to success. www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

Leiden environmental researchers have mapped the environmental footprint of different diets and revealed which population groups have the greatest impact through their food choices www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

The appointment of Stowell at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) strengthens the collaboration between Naturalis and Leiden University. www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

Researchers in Leiden have captured detailed images showing how, in the rare pregnancy disorder FNAIT, antibodies produced by the mother can cause bleeding in foetuses. The findings could help pave the way for a test that identifies which babies are at risk www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

Four researchers from Leiden Faculty of Science have been awarded a Veni grant by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

Astronomers have discovered a third planet orbiting the star Beta Pictoris. The newly found planet, Beta Pictoris d, is one of the least massive exoplanets ever to be directly observed from Earth. www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

Ákos Kovács has been appointed as Director of Education at the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL). He succeeds Dennis Claessen. Kovács has been appointed with effect from 1 September for a term of 4 years. www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

With a custom-designed protein and a strong team effort, Leiden's iGEM team hopes to improve organoids: tiny lab-grown organs that could advance medical research. In November, the students will present their project at the finale in Paris. www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

In May and June, 2,636 residents of Leiden, Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest and Katwijk found 3,939 species of plants, animals and fungi. From oysters to orchids and from voles to vetch, nothing was overlooked in this survey of urban nature.

Funding for AI and plant research, monitoring nature from space, and more www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026...

The Euclid space telescope has discovered 31 extremely distant quasars, breaking the distance record for this type of bright galactic nucleus. Powered by colossal black holes, two of the discovered galactic nuclei were shining when the universe was only 670 million years old.

Euclid spots dozens of quasars in the early universe

The Euclid space telescope has discovered 31 extremely distant quasars, breaking the distance record for this type of bright galactic nucleus. Powered by colossal black holes, two of the discovered ga...

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More and more people are turning to AI when they feel stressed or worried. Researchers at Leiden University studied how and why people use chatbots for emotional support. Their conclusion: AI meets a real need, but also raises serious concerns.

AI as a listening ear: helpful or risky?

More and more people are turning to AI when they feel stressed or worried. Researchers at Leiden University studied how and why people use chatbots for emotional support. Their conclusion: AI meets a ...

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‘Can we calculate, in one number, how impossible it is that I exist?’ Astrophysicist Yamila Miguel took this question by artist Thijs Biersteker seriously. This resulted in an artwork that holds up a ‘mirror’ to the universe and your very existence.

Astrophysicist collaborates on artwork that calculates the odds of your existence

‘Can we calculate, in one number, how impossible it is that I exist?’ Astrophysicist Yamila Miguel took this question by artist Thijs Biersteker seriously. This resulted in an artwork that holds up a ...

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The Executive Board of Leiden University has reappointed Suzanne van der Pluijm as Director of Operational Management of the Faculty of Science. Her new term of office started on 1 June 2026.

Suzanne van der Pluijm reappointed as Director of Operational Management of the Faculty of Science

The Executive Board of Leiden University has reappointed Suzanne van der Pluijm as Director of Operational Management of the Faculty of Science. Her new term of office started on 1 June 2026.

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Every summer brings a new sense of anticipation in the greenhouse: will the giant waterlilies emerge, how large will their leaves grow, and when will the first flowers appear? For horticulturist Theo Teske, it has been an annual ritual for 27 years – and it never loses its appeal.

Working with the most beautiful plants in the world

Every summer brings a new sense of anticipation in the greenhouse: will the giant waterlilies emerge, how large will their leaves grow, and when will the first flowers appear? For horticulturist Theo ...

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Scientists at Leiden University have discovered that plants are strongly influenced by their neighbours, not just above ground but also through hidden networks in the soil. Their findings challenge long-held ideas about how plants shape their environment and could help improve sustainable farming.

Neighbours shape plant life more than expected, Leiden scientists find

Scientists at Leiden University have discovered that plants are strongly influenced by their neighbours, not just above ground but also through hidden networks in the soil. Their findings challenge lo...

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They visited four regenerative farmers, viewed the landscape through the eyes of a dragonfly and organised workshops with policymakers and experts. Fifteen final-year students envisaged a South Holland Delta that no longer places a burden on the soil, water or atmosphere.

Generation Regeneration: these students envisage the South Holland Delta in 2100

They visited four regenerative farmers, viewed the landscape through the eyes of a dragonfly and organised workshops with policymakers and experts. Fifteen final-year students envisaged a South Hollan...

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The glow of a century-old ceramic glaze, a microscope tip covered with platinum and a network of proteins that looks like a galaxy. These three beautiful images won the Physics Image Award 2026 at Leiden University.

The cat’s-eye effect, a platinum accident and galaxy-like proteins: Three winners share the Physics Image Award

The glow of a century-old ceramic glaze, a microscope tip covered with platinum and a network of proteins that looks like a galaxy. These three beautiful images won the Physics Image Award 2026 at Lei...

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More person-centred care with fewer people may sound contradictory, Professor Jildau Bouwman admits. But it is possible, she argues in her inaugural lecture. We just need to think differently and make smart use of technology and responsible use of data. ‘Our healthcare system is too complex.’

Person-centred care thanks to digital solutions

More person-centred care with fewer people may sound contradictory, Professor Jildau Bouwman admits. But it is possible, she argues in her inaugural lecture. We just need to think differently and make...

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Scientists from the consortium behind the Euclid space telescope, including researchers at Leiden University, have created the largest and most detailed visible-light image ever taken of the centre of the Milky Way. The image shows more than 60 million stars.

Euclid space telescope reveals the heart of the Milky Way in unprecedented detail

Scientists from the consortium behind the Euclid space telescope, including researchers at Leiden University, have created the largest and most detailed visible-light image ever taken of the centre of...

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A new generation of lion collars in Tanzania’s Serengeti shows that human–wildlife encounters are becoming increasingly common. Leiden University researchers are working with local wildlife organisations and technology partner Smart Parks for wildlife monitoring, to better map these interactions.

Leiden researchers test a smart lion collar in Tanzania

A new generation of lion collars in Tanzania’s Serengeti shows that human–wildlife encounters are becoming increasingly common. Researchers from Leiden University are working with local wildlife organ...

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Professor of Bio-organic Chemistry Hermen Overkleeft develops innovative methods to study disease. This increases our understanding of the human body and enables the development of new medicines. Overkleeft has been awarded the Spinoza Prize: the Netherlands' most prestigious scientific award.

Spinoza Prize for chemical biologist Hermen Overkleeft

Professor of Bio-organic Chemistry Hermen Overkleeft develops innovative methods to study disease processes. This increases our understanding of the human body and enables the development of new medic...

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Physicists and instrument makers in Leiden have succeeded to optimise a spring that almost completely filters out vibrations at temperatures near the absolute zero. This breakthrough opens the door to a new generation of highly sensitive experiments.

A new super-spring for ultra-quiet experiments

Physicists and instrument makers in Leiden have succeeded to optimise a spring that almost completely filters out vibrations at temperatures near the absolute zero. This breakthrough opens the door to...

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The laboratory of Leiden researcher Alireza Mashaghi is the first in the world to implement a quantum biosensor installation from QT-Sense. This enables the detection of extremely rapid and almost imperceptible changes in cells, providing essential insights for treating diseases.

First quantum biosensor can detect rapid, invisible changes in cells

The laboratory of Leiden researcher Alireza Mashaghi is the first in the world to implement a quantum biosensor installation from QT-Sense. This enables the detection of extremely rapid and almost im...

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Astronomers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to catch an extraordinary glimpse of a massive galaxy taking shape in the early universe. They identified a compact group of at least six galaxies that are likely to merge into a single enormous system.

James Webb spots the birth of a giant galaxy and a supermassive black hole

Astronomers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to catch an extraordinary glimpse of a massive galaxy taking shape in the early universe. They identified a compact group of at least six galaxies ...

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Those who consume the most also cause the most damage. The 10 per cent of the world’s population who consume the most cause up to $5.7 trillion in environmental damage annually, according to new research from Leiden University.

Top 10 per cent of consumers cause trillions in environmental damage

Those who consume the most also cause the most damage. The 10 per cent of the world’s population who consume the most cause up to $5.7 trillion in environmental damage annually, according to new resea...

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Marcellus Ubbink has been reappointed as Scientific Director of the Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC) until 1 July 2030. ‘In the coming years, I want to focus on maintaining and developing our excellent teaching and research.’

Marcellus Ubbink reappointed as Scientific Director of the LIC

Marcellus Ubbink has been reappointed as Scientific Director of the Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC) until 1 July 2030. ‘In the coming years, I want to focus on maintaining and developing our excel...

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What do chemical reactions, epidemics & vegetation have in common? More than you might think, says mathematician Mark van den Bosch (Leiden University). In his research, he shows that even in systems that behave in chaotic and erratic ways, a surprising amount of order and structure can be found.

Order in chaos: mathematician looks for patterns in unpredictable systems

What do chemical reactions, epidemics and vegetation have in common? More than you might think, says mathematician Mark van den Bosch (Leiden University). In his PhD research, he shows that even in sy...

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