Four academics from the University of Oxford were elected this year as international members. This included Professor Andrew McMichael, Emeritus Professor of Molecular Medicine, from NDM’s Centre for Immuno-Oncology.
Professor McMichael’s research has focused on T lymphocytes and innate immunity. Early in his career, he discovered the CD1 protein (which plays a role in immune surveillance) in a collaboration with Cesar Milstein. In the mid-1980s, Alain Townsend in his group made the crucial discovery that T lymphocytes react to short fragments of virus proteins that are bound to host proteins called HLA molecules. This finding transformed cellular immunology and is the basis of many developing cancer therapies and vaccines.
Professor McMichael and his colleagues also made important discoveries on the immune response to HIV, demonstrating that the virus could escape from immune control by the T lymphocytes by mutating these small peptides. This led to novel approaches to vaccine design that are ongoing. His team also discovered how the unusual HLA molecule, HLA-E, not only controls innate immunity but can also bind foreign peptides and stimulate T lymphocytes. Because this HLA molecule, unlike others, is not genetically variable it offers exciting possibilities for immunotherapy.
Prof McMichael said: ‘I am deeply honoured by this award which recognises the work of all my team over many years. I have always greatly admired American science, which is world leading, both collaborative and competitive, and globally relevant. I look forward to continuing close interactions in the years ahead.’
The full list of researchers elected to the National Academy of Sciences this year can be found on the NAS website: https://www.nasonline.org/news/2025-nas-election/