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
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.
Dr Claire Chewapreecha wins Nature Award for Inspiring Women in Science
1 November 2024
Dr Chewapreecha, a Wellcome International Intermediate Fellow and computational biologist at NDM's Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, has been announced as the Individual Winner at this year’s Inspiring Women in Science Awards hosted by Nature and The Estée Lauder Companies. She was honoured at a ceremony in London on 31 October.
Lorenz von Seidlein awarded Royal Society Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Medal
30 October 2024
The Royal Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene recently awarded MORU’s Professor Lorenz von Seidlein (centre) the Donald Mackay Medal in London for outstanding work in tropical health.
Novel antibody platform tackles viral mutations
29 October 2024
Scientists in the Nuffield Department of Medicine and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed an innovative antibody platform aimed at tackling one of the greatest challenges in treating rapidly evolving viruses like SARS-CoV-2: their ability to mutate and evade existing vaccines and therapies.
Oxford Liver Cancer Centre of Excellence launched
25 October 2024
To mark liver cancer awareness month, we are excited to announce the launch of the Oxford LIVer cancer centre of Excellence (OLivE) to improve outcomes for liver cancer patients.
Study maps out next generation of drug targets in autoimmune diseases
24 October 2024
In a world first, researchers at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology and the Nuffield Department of Medicine have mapped the cellular dynamics following treatment with the most commonly used advanced therapy in autoimmune diseases. They have discovered why some patients benefit from this therapy while others do not, potentially paving the way for new therapies.
Long COVID study highlights need for diagnosis and management investment
23 October 2024
A new study from researchers in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC), hosted at NDM’s Pandemic Sciences Institute, reveals the key Long COVID characteristics affecting populations worldwide, including fatigue, shortness of breath and having trouble thinking clearly.
The Global Health Network MENA Regional Hub officially launched
22 October 2024
The Global Health Network, hosted by NDM, proudly announced the official launch of its Middle East North Africa (MENA) Regional Hub, an initiative set to revolutionise health research, education, and practice across the region. The launch event was held at the Canadian University Dubai on the 21st October 2024, and brought together leading experts, policymakers, and academic institutions to chart a path toward a healthier and more resilient future for the MENA region.
Nigeria rolls out new Oxford R21 malaria vaccine
18 October 2024
On Thursday, Nigeria announced the regulatory approval and launch of the new R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine that will be freely administered to recipients. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s fight against the deadly disease.
Possible new transmission route for highly pathogenic avian influenza
17 October 2024
A new study published in Nature Communications has identified a new potential transmission route for H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI). Understanding actual “bird flu” rates in humans will help prevent further spillover and a potential new pandemic.
T-cell aerosol immunisation as path to universal influenza vaccine
16 October 2024
In a new study, published in NPJ Vaccines, researchers from the Pandemic Sciences Institute and The Pirbright Institute have generated new evidence supporting the development of a universal influenza vaccine.
Rift Valley fever vaccine to enter Phase II clinical trials in Kenya
14 October 2024
A promising human vaccine candidate against the potentially deadly Rift Valley fever, a mosquito-borne disease affecting countries across Africa, is set to begin Phase II trials in Kenya. This is the most advanced stage of testing a human Rift Valley fever vaccine has reached in an outbreak-prone area to date. A team of scientists at the Nuffield Department of Medicine and the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme will lead the $3.7m trial, funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Cancer vaccination mediates anti-tumour immunity
11 October 2024
The Van den Eynde group at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research have identified a new CD8+ T-cell epitope of the MAGE-type P1A tumour antigen presented in a widely-used tumour model, opening new perspectives for mechanistic studies looking at MAGE-type specific anti-tumour immunity.
Research finds that a DNA polymerase is a source of cancer mutations
10 October 2024
Researchers at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in the Nuffield Department of Medicine have found that cancer mutations are not solely caused by a random chemical reaction, but the human DNA polymerase ε makes errors which result in cytosine to thymine mutations.
NDM researchers give evidence at House of Lords Science Committee
9 October 2024
Professor Catherine Green, Professor of Clinical Biomanufacturing and Director of NDM’s Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility; Professor Sandy Douglas, Associate Professor at the Jenner Institute within NDM; and Dr Adam Ritchie, Senior Vaccinologist at the Jenner Institute were invited give evidence on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic at the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee.
CMD collaborates with BPGbio on novel protein degradation technologies
7 October 2024
NDM’s Centre for Medicines Discovery and BPGbio, a leading biology-first, AI-powered, clinical stage biopharma focused on mitochondrial biology and protein homeostasis, today announced a five-year research collaboration focused on advancing novel protein degradation technologies, particularly in oncology and central nervous system diseases, with the goal of unlocking new therapeutic pathways for conditions with limited treatment options. The organisations will work in phases, starting with the validation of BPGbio’s novel E2 TPD technology, and expanding to the degradable target space.
New malaria study to support WHO guideline changes
4 October 2024
Researchers from the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health at NDM have contributed to a new study which will help inform World Health Organization guidelines for treating children with Plasmodium vivax malaria. They found that giving children higher doses of primaquine substantially reduced recurrences of malaria.