Single low-dose primaquine for blocking transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria

6 March 2018

Primaquine is being promoted actively to block the transmission of falciparum malaria parasites between humans and mosquitoes to reduce the spread of highly resistant malaria ‘superbugs.’

In response, Bob Taylor and colleagues developed a primaquine dosing scheme based on age. This will be useful where there are no functioning weighing scales and when primaquine mass drug treatment will be given.

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Leveraging genetics to help inform drug target discovery

28 June 2019

A new study led by Professor Julian Knight at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and colleagues from the ULTRA-DD Consortium shows how genetics and knowledge of networks can prioritise drug targets for immune-mediated diseases.

Human Antibodies that Slow Erythrocyte Invasion Potentiate Malaria-Neutralizing Antibodies

13 June 2019

Researchers from the University of Oxford, including NDM's Professor Simon Draper, along with partners from five institutions around the world, have identified the human antibodies that prevent the malaria parasite from entering blood cells, which may be key to creating a highly effective malaria vaccination.

Illumina and Nanopore methods for whole genome sequencing of hepatitis B virus (HBV)

14 May 2019

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects 290 million people worldwide. Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencing platforms provide potential for sequencing the whole HBV genome in a single read, facilitating improved insights into virus epidemiology, diversity, and pathogenesis.

A Novel Vaccine Strategy Employing Serologically Different Adenoviral Vectors for the Prevention of HIV-1 and HCV Coinfection

11 April 2019

Nearly 3 million people are co-infected with hepatitis C and HIV. Effective preventive strategies targeting both viruses are needed.

Assessment of Immunogenicity and Neutralisation Efficacy of Viral-Vectored Vaccines Against Chikungunya Virus

11 April 2019

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has caused explosive outbreaks in more than 60 countries. Infection can cause a long-term, debilitating disease characterised by joint inflammation and chronic arthritis lasting several years.

Research identifies how the gut loses protective barrier function in IBD

28 February 2019

A research team led by Prof Alison Simmons at MRC HIU and Professor of Gastroenterology used single-cell technology to identify new players in the gut epithelial barrier.