Translational Medicine

Professor Xin Lu talks about the links between cancer and regenerative medicine. Professor Xin Lu is the Director of the Oxford branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Her lab works toward identifying molecular mechanisms that suppress tumour growth and metastasis and focuses on understanding the factors that lead to uncontrollable cell growth.

Dr Jan Rehwinkel talks about the role of our innate immune system in our fight against flu virus. Dr Jan Rehwinkel and his group study the bodys immune reaction to viruses such as flu and HIV 1 which affect millions of people worldwide. The aim is to impact on the management of infectious diseases and the development of vaccinations. This work also has an impact on auto-immune diseases such as Lupus.

Dr John Frater talks about his research into finding a cure for HIV. It is increasingly apparent that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) may not be the long-term solution to the management of HIV infection, and that other avenues need to be explored. As a result of various recent cases, the idea of eradicating HIV altogether is becoming less unimaginable to some scientists.

Professor Sarah Gilbert talks about her work on viral vectored vaccines. Professor Sarah Gilbert has been making and testing vaccines designed to induce T cell responses for ten years, chiefly using antigens from malaria and influenza. Based at the Jenner Institute, several of the vaccines developed in Professor Gilberts laboratory have progressed into Clinical Trials.

Professor Lars Fugger talks about his research on multiple sclerosis. Professor Lars Fugger focuses on translational studies in multiple sclerosis and uses a multidisciplinary approach. He is seeking to understand the molecular basis for the MHC association in MS and how MHC genes interact with environmental factors such as viruses. Professor Fuggers group consists of both basic scientists and clinicians.

Dr Raghib Ali talks about INDOX, the cancer research network in India. Dr Raghib Ali is the Director of INDOX Cancer Research Network. His main interest is in colorectal (bowel) cancer and other chronic, non-communicable diseases. Incidence of colorectal cancer in India has been relatively low historically; understanding why may help us establish risk factors and also lead to new treatments.

Dr Jay Berkley tells us about his work on childhood nutrition and immunity in East Africa. Dr Jay Berkley works in the KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Collaborative Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya. His research interests include tackling infection and inflammation to prevent mortality in malnourished children. He is also an expert advisor on severe acute malnutrition to the Ministries of Health, and the World Health Organisation.

Dr Holm Uhlig talks about the role of the immune system in our gastrointestinal tract. Dr Holm Uhlig is based at the Translational Gastroenterology Unit and studies defects in the immune response and regulation leading to immunopathology. Dr Uhlig is interested in children with inflammatory bowel disease, and aims to understand the complex puzzle of molecular mechanisms involved.

Professor Richard Cornall tells us about his research on autoimmunity. Professor Richard Cornall aims to understand the causes of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system which is normally designed to attack pathogens ends up attacking the body. Professor Cornall is also interested in how people differ in their inherited susceptibility and why these differences are sustained in human populations by natural selection.

Dr Simon Draper tells us about his progress in malaria vaccine research. Dr Simon Draper's research interests include studies of vaccine induced malaria immunity. His group focuses on translational medicine. They will take their most promising vaccine candidates and manufacture them as clinical grade material. The next step is proof of concept clinical trials in healthy volunteers.