Translational Medicine

Novel light microscopy techniques allow us to track single viruses. From a virus centric approach, we can now study interactions between the host and the virus. In the case of HIV, we could demonstrate that the virus might enter the cell through endocytosis. A better understanding of virus-cell interactions will ultimately help us test and develop new drugs and vaccines.

DNA replication and Cancer The process of DNA replication is complex, and mistakes can lead to genome instability. Surveillance systems are not always successful which results in mutations that have the potential to inactivate genes or change their activity. This can lead to cancer, and many chemotherapeutic drugs are designed to disrupt DNA replication. A better understanding of these mechanisms can help us develop new drugs with reduced side effects.

Over the past decade, data-driven science has produced enormous sets of data. The convergence of statistics and computer science, in the field known as machine learning, provide the means to understand these large datasets. Ultimately, machine learning algorithms will be develop into clinical decision making support systems.

Between research and humanitarian Professor François Nosten's work concentrates on infectious diseases at the Thai-Burma border. The main focus of his research is on malaria, especially malaria in pregnant women and emerging drug resistance of malaria parasites.

Tuberculous Meningitis Professor Guy Thwaites is trying to improve outcomes for patients with tuberculous meningitis, the most severe form of tuberculosis. 100, 000 people a year get tuberculous meningitis and without treatment 100% of people with the disease will die.

Innate immune system Professor Alison Simmons is interested in the molecular aspects of innate immune recognition, the primitive arm of the immune system that defends the host from infection by other organisms in a non-specific manner. Defects in the innate immune system can result in difficulty clearing infections but also in inflammation.

Structure of viruses Professor David Stuart studies the structure of viruses at the molecular level. His work is particularly interested in virus-receptor interaction and the basic puzzles of virus assembly and he uses structural biology to answer these questions.

Adult gastrointestinal stem cells The gastrointestinal tract is lined with a single sheet of epithelium that is replaced every 4-5 days. The base of a flask-shaped structured called the crypt is where the gastrointestinal stem cells are found. These divide to form daughter cells that travel up the crypt to replace these cells. Dr Simon Leedham's current research focuses on the cell-signaling pathways that control intestinal stem cells and the dysregulation of these pathways in cancer.

Inflammatory signalling Dr Mads Gyrd-Hansen aims to elucidate fundamental mechanisms governing pro-inflammatory signalling during innate immune responses, and through this, to better understand how aberrant inflammatory signalling contributes to tumour development and cancer progression.

Airway inflammation Ian Pavord is Professor of Respiratory Medicine and has been joint Chief Medical Advisor to Asthma UK since May 2008. He has developed new techniques to get a better idea about airway inflammation and uses this information to investigate the best treatments to prevent asthma attacks.