The latest news, updates and announcements from the Nuffield Department of Medicine.
Researchers discover new way to target cancer and immune-related diseases
14 January 2025
Groundbreaking research by scientists from the Centre for Medicines Discovery at the Nuffield Department of Medicine opens up new possibilities for developing treatments that could both fight cancer and regulate the immune system, offering hope for better and more precise therapies in the future.
Professor Sarah Gilbert appointed as Deputy Head of Department
13 January 2025
The Department wishes to announce that Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert has been appointed to the role of Deputy Head of Department of the Nuffield Department of Medicine for a five-year term.
Inhaled vaccines could reduce viral transmission
9 January 2025
An important step toward advancing vaccines for human use, a recent study has shown that inhaled vaccines could potentially improve efficiency and reduce viral transmission.
New blood test could enable early detection of multiple cancers
8 January 2025
A new blood test – powered by machine learning – has shown real promise in detecting multiple types of cancer in their earliest stages, when the disease is hardest to detect. Developed by a team of researchers and co-lead by the Centre for Human Genetics’ Dr Dimitris Vavoulis, the test accurately detected six cancer types and could distinguish between people with and without cancer.
Ben Schuster-Böckler elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology
6 January 2025
The Royal Society of Biology have recognised Associate Professor Benjamin Schuster-Böckler from NDM's Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research as a Fellow in their January 2025 nominations round.
Optimising testing for disease surveillance with machine learning
3 January 2025
A new machine learning-informed strategy could support public health leaders to design better disease surveillance during a disease outbreak.
Certain antimalarial drugs show moderate effect in preventing COVID-19
19 December 2024
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) have led the world’s largest study on the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to prevent COVID-19. With results showing moderate protection against the virus, the trial involved over 4,600 participants and found a 15% reduction in symptomatic COVID-19 among those who took the medications compared to those who took a placebo.
Study on the impact of protein modification on cell physiology receives £6.4m
18 December 2024
A study aimed at increasing understanding of how cells function has received funding of £6.4 million. Led by the University of Strathclyde, NDM’s Division of Structural Biology (STRUBI) and collaborators from other universities across the UK will be working together to increase understanding in this area of research.
Dr Lennard Lee featured in Fujifilm anniversary documentary series
17 December 2024
NDM’s Dr Lennard Lee has been featured in Fujifilm Europe’s 90th Anniversary celebration documentary series, which honours 20 exceptional innovators helping to shape the future across Europe. Dr Lee has been recognised as a UK exemplar for his groundbreaking contributions to the cancer vaccines research field, accelerating the uptake of digital trials, and demonstrating a faster, simpler, and more efficient model for clinical trials.
Reversing resistance to cancer immune therapy with antibodies
16 December 2024
A new study led by Professor Ignacio Melero of NDM's Centre for Immuno-oncology and the University of Navarra and has highlighted a way to combat resistance to cancer immunotherapy in solid tumours by using antibodies that target GDF-15 protein.
Launch of largest-ever study tracking chikungunya burden in East Africa
13 December 2024
A team of scientists in the UK, Kenya and Tanzania will soon find out the extent to which chikungunya, a debilitating mosquito-borne disease causing large outbreaks in Asia and South America, is also affecting countries in East Africa.
Prof Anneke Lucassen to lead Public and Community Engagement with Research
12 December 2024
Professor Anneke Lucassen will chair the Public and Community Engagement with Research Advisory Board and launch the 2024-2029 strategy as the new Academic Champion for Oxford University.
Two new MRC Centres to create cutting-edge gene therapies
11 December 2024
The Medical Research Council (MRC), part of UKRI, is launching its first two Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE), which will develop transformative new advanced therapeutics for currently untreatable diseases. Oxford is leading one of these Centres and co-leading the other. Together, these international collaborations will receive up to £50 million each over 14 years.
Md Zakiul Hassan recognised as 2024 ISID Emerging Leader
10 December 2024
PSI researcher Md Zakiul Hassan, the inaugural Oxford-MoH Foundation DPhil Scholar, has been recognised as 2024 ISID Emerging Leader in International Infectious Diseases. The award from the International Society for Infectious Diseases acknowledges early-career excellence in the field.
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).