The latest news, research updates and announcements from the Nuffield Department of Medicine.
For media enquiries, background information on any of our research, or to arrange interviews with relevant scientists please contact Marin Hirschfeld, NDM Head of Communications. We also have photos and videos of our work available for B-roll purposes.
What's new
Dr Xin Hui Chan awarded BIA Barnett Christie Lecture
4 December 2024
Dr Xin Hui Chan has won the competitive 2024 Barnett Christie Lecture award of the British Infection Association. As part of the award, Dr Chan delivered a lecture entitled ‘Drugs for Tropical Infections: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Infectious Disease Physician’.
New iontronic platform could advance miniature cancer-treatment systems
3 December 2024
Researchers at NDM’s Ludwig Cancer Research, the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and other Oxford departments report the use of surfactant-supported assembly of freestanding microscale hydrogel droplets to construct iontronic modules and biointerfaces.
First new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years
2 December 2024
An injection given during some asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attacks is more effective than the current treatment of steroid tablets, reducing the need for further treatment by 30 percent.
KEMRI renews collaboration with Oxford University and Wellcome Trust
29 November 2024
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has signed a seven-year memorandum of agreement with the Wellcome Trust and the University of Oxford. Under this collaboration, Wellcome has awarded £91 million (KES 15 billion) to support research over the next seven years. KEMRI have been collaborating with the Wellcome Trust and the University of Oxford on improving health through research for over 35 years.
Study finds methaemoglobin levels could predict malaria recurrence
28 November 2024
A new study by NDM researchers and collaborators has found methaemoglobin levels during treatment for vivax malaria could be used to predict whether a patient would have recurrent malaria.
OUCRU researchers help shape global priorities in AMR research
27 November 2024
OUCRU researchers from Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam contributed to the newly published WHO research priorities for antimicrobial resistance. These top 40 priorities, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with global collaborators, aim to guide research into drug-resistant infections over the next five years, with a special focus on challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Using functional genomics to reduce the cause of childhood brain tumours
26 November 2024
Researchers at Ludwig Cancer Research have leveraged functional genomics to suppress the function of the mutant histones responsible for driving 80% of incurable childhood brain tumours.
Dr Nicky Whiffin awarded Balfour Lecture 2025
25 November 2024
Nicky Whiffin, Associate Professor and Sir Henry Dale Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Big Data Institute and Centre for Human Genetics, has been awarded the 2025 Balfour Lecture by the Genetics Society.
Improving antimicrobial resistance control in resource-limited areas
24 November 2024
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health emergency that threatens to reverse decades of medical progress. In Vietnam, the issue is particularly acute in underserved regions, where healthcare resources are often limited and diagnostic tools are scarce. NDM's Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) and the Phu Tho Department of Health have partnered to improve antibiotic stewardship and microbiology capabilities in underserved districts of the province.
NDM unit awarded £11m to address antimicrobial resistance
22 November 2024
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded the Modernising Medical Microbiology consortium £11 million to address major public health threat, antimicrobial resistance. The Oxford Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, hosted by the Nuffield Department of Medicine since 2014, is one of 13 HPRUs funded by NIHR as part of an £80 million funding boost.
Indonesia faces gaps in hospital antibiotic programmes
21 November 2024
A study led by OUCRU Indonesia and the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (FMUI) found that 9 out of 10 hospitals, in a sample of 575 across 34 provinces of Indonesia, had a formal Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme. But only half of those had reached a development level where they could run a robust, functional stewardship programme.
Pandemic Sciences Institute partners with Universiti Malaysia Sabah
20 November 2024
The Pandemic Sciences Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), to advance a shared understanding of the risks of emerging viruses in regions rich in biodiversity.
University of Oxford unveils new vaccine development partnership
18 November 2024
Oxford Cancer, the Oxford Vaccine Group and the Pandemic Sciences Institute have announced a new collaboration with Belgian biotech innovator Univercells.
Three new Fellows join the Institute of Molecular and Computational Medicine
14 November 2024
Last month the final two Oxford-GSK Institute of Molecular and Computational Medicine (IMCM) Fellows were welcomed to NDM’s Centre for Human Genetics. Dr Martina Hallegger and Dr Charmaine Lang join Dr Steph Fowler to build capacity in neurodegenerative disease research at the Centre.
Researchers discover the enzymatic mechanism for human ceramide synthase
13 November 2024
In an exciting collaboration between academia and industry, researchers at NDM’s Centre for Medicines Discovery and Boehringer Ingelheim have discovered the reaction mechanism for human ceramide synthase (CerS), which could help to form CerS-inhibiting products in the future.
Research traces impact of COVID-19 pandemic on travel and flu evolution
12 November 2024
Increased genomic surveillance capacity during the pandemic allowed researchers to get a deeper insight into the global distribution patterns of seasonal flu and other respiratory viruses.
Reconstructing a lifetime of flu infections to understand long-term trends
8 November 2024
Using antibody data and mathematical modelling, a new study from researchers at the Pandemic Sciences Institute estimates annual patterns of influenza infection and protection over the past fifty years.
Professor David Aanensen awarded 2025 Translational Microbiology Prize
7 November 2024
Professor David Aanensen, Principal Investigator at the Pandemic Sciences Institute and Big Data Institute, has been honoured with the 2025 Translational Microbiology Prize in recognition for his work in the areas of translational microbiology and genomic epidemiology.
New research sheds light on deadly tuberculous meningitis
6 November 2024
Researchers at NDM’s Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) have identified gene activity signatures in the blood of patients with a life-threatening form of tuberculosis.
Professor Andrew Brent appointed Visiting Professor
5 November 2024
Prof Andrew Brent has been granted the title of Visiting Professor of Infectious Diseases and General Medicine, in recognition of his successful collaboration with the University of Oxford.