Translational Medicine

Professor Patrik Rorsman talks about Diabetes and how beta cells within the pancreas control insulin secretion. Patrik Rorsman is professor of diabetic medicine in the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism. Professor Rorsman has been at the forefront of research on hormone-secreting cells in the pancreas for more than 20 years, work that is highly relevant to understanding the causes and treatment of type 2 diabetes. The Wellcome Trust award will allow him to study further the metabolic and hormonal regulation of hormone secretion in the pancreas.

Dr Lucy Dorrell tells us how our immune system controls HIV and how we can live with this virus. The aim of Dr Lucy Dorrells' research is to develop immunotherapy to reduce the dependence of those infected with HIV-1 on their current treatment - antiretroviral therapy (ART). This is because 9 million of the estimated 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS today are not able to access the ARTs which they are in immediate need of.

Professor Paul Klenerman talks about our relationship with persistent viruses, such as Hepatitis C. Prof. Paul Klenerman studies the evolutionary relationships between persistent viruses and their human hosts. He aims to understand the role of our immune responses in determining the outcome of Hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatitis C virus infects around 200 million people worldwide and is a major cause of liver disease.

Professor Dominic Kwiatkowski talks about his work on global health, how genomics can help us fight infections such as malaria. Prof. Dominic Kwiatkowski aims to reduce the burden of infectious disease in the developing world. He translates advances in genome science into clinical and epidemiological applications. He mostly works on malaria but many of his tools and methodologies in genetics, statistics, informatics and ethics have applications for other diseases.

Dr Dianne Newbury talks about the contribution of genetics to specific language impairment. Dr Dianne Newbury is looking for the genes that predispose to Specific Language Impairment, a complex genetic disorder. Two regions, located on chromosomes 16 and 19, are linked with this disorder. Interactions between several normal genetic variants and environmental factors make certain individuals more vulnerable to language problems.

Dr Seph Borrow tells us how her research on HIV Immunology helps design better vaccines. There is an urgent need for vaccines to combat persistent infections like HIV. Dr Seph Borrow is studying factors affecting virus control by HIV-specific CD8+ T cells, to inform the design of T cell-based HIV vaccines. She is also exploring the possibility of harnessing innate immune responses to combat HIV.

Professor Chris Pugh tells us about the links between genetics, renal disease and oxygen sensing. The kidney plays a central role in our metabolism, by controlling various physiological balances. Genetics plays an important role in renal disease since gene defects lead to all sorts of malfunctions. Prof. Chris Pugh is working on the oxygen sensing functions of the body; whilst these were discovered in the context of erythropoietin production the underlying system controls about 1000 genes.

Dr Silvia Paracchini talks about the influence of Genetics in Dyslexia. Dr Silvia Paracchini aims to indentify the genetic components of dyslexia and understand the underlying biology. Other disorders such as Specific Language Impairment or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are commonly linked to dyslexia. Dr Paracchini is looking for possible common genes for these clinically distinct disorders. Her research has the potential to uncover some of the biological mechanisms involved in human cognition.

Professor Sir Andrew McMichael tells us about recent developments in the search for a vaccine against HIV. Prof. Sir Andrew McMichael is working on human immunology and vaccines, first looking at flu virus and now HIV. His current lines of research include analysing early molecular events in HIV infection, T cell immune response to HIV and the use of vaccination to control HIV infection.

Dr Bee Wee tells us about Palliative Care in Oxford and her research on end of life care and fatigue. Dr Bee Wee is the Head of Palliative Care Research and Development, based at Sir Michael Sobell House in Oxford. Her current lines of research include End of life care for people with incurable cancer and advanced non-malignant disease, Symptom management and Rehabilitation.