Jobs — The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology

No link found between patient genetics and response to anti-IL17 therapy

4 September 2023

A new study looked at the effect of patient genetics on their response to secukinumab, an anti-IL17 therapy commonly used to treat inflammatory conditions including arthritis and psoriasis. No link was found between a patient’s genetic variants and their response to therapy. This study challenges the idea that genetics might significantly account for the variable responses to anti-IL17 therapy seen in the clinic.

EPSRC fellowship awarded to Huw Colin-York

4 July 2023

Huw Colin-York has been awarded a fellowship from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop synthetic biology tools to understand the immune response.

Newly discovered cells could be responsible for atherosclerosis complications

27 June 2023

A new type of macrophages recently identified in atherosclerotic lesions could provide a missing link in understanding the inflammatory origins of the common yet fatal condition.

Michael Dustin joins strategic research collaboration with EvolveImmune Therapeutics

15 June 2023

The research will use the Kennedy’s state-of-the-art technology to understand the effect of EVOLVE molecules in the immune response to tumours.

Mitochondrial protein synthesis identified as a potential therapeutic target in lymphoma

1 June 2023

A team led by Alex Clarke at the Kennedy Institute has identified how high mitochondrial activity regulates antibody responses crucial for immunity but is also necessary for the development of lymphoma.

Shifting the dogma about synovial lining macrophages: the early drivers of rheumatoid arthritis

24 May 2023

Insights into a specific macrophage population suggest that these cells could drive inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Understanding their complex role could lead to better treatments for patients.

New hope for patients after vedolizumab found effective to treat Chronic Pouchitis

31 March 2023

A new study led by Oxford researchers has found vedolizumab can induce remission in patients who have chronic pouchitis after surgery for ulcerative colitis.

New approach to nail bed injury surgery could significantly cut NHS costs

30 March 2023

According to a new Oxford study, changing clinical practice for finger injuries in children could save the NHS £720,000 per year.

Fat tissues can play a protective role against inflammation in the intestine

22 February 2023

A new study in The EMBO Journal has revealed how fat tissues might provide a protective role in intestinal inflammation opening new lines of research into the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Communication at the crossroads of the immune system

6 February 2023

In his inaugural article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences as an NAS member (elected 2021), Prof Mike Dustin and his research team have explained how messages are passed across the immunological synapse. The research could have implications for future vaccine development and immunotherapy treatments.

New drug offers hope for people with hand osteoarthritis

22 December 2022

A new study, published in Science Translational Medicine by researchers at the University of Oxford has identified that Talarozole, a drug that is known to increase retinoic acid, was able to prevent osteoarthritis (OA) in disease models.

Adalimumab is found to be a cost-effective treatment for early-stage Dupuytren’s disease

16 November 2022

Researchers at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology and Oxford Population Health’s Health Economics Research Centre have found that anti-TNF treatment (adalimumab) is likely to be a cost-effective treatment for people affected by early-stage Dupuytren’s disease.

MRC funding awarded to Kennedy researchers

8 September 2022

Two new projects led by Tal Arnon and Irina Udalova have been awarded Medical Research Council (MRC) funding.

Breakthrough in treatment for Dupuytren’s disease

30 April 2022

Injection of the anti-TNF drug adalimumab into Dupuytren’s disease nodules is effective in reducing nodule hardness and nodule size.

New research suggests targeting blood vessels could be key to controlling fibrotic disease

1 April 2022

By studying blood vessels at single cell resolution, Professor Jagdeep Nanchahal and colleagues found that in Dupuytren’s disease, a fibrotic disorder of the hand, the vasculature is key to orchestrating the development of human fibrosis.

Defining the role of resident memory B cells in the fight against influenza

31 March 2022

Researchers at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology have used 3D and live-imaging to show how resident memory B cells boost antibodies to fight influenza.

A blood atlas of COVID-19 defines hallmarks of disease severity and specificity

23 March 2022

The COVID-19 Multi-omic Blood Atlas (COMBAT) has identified blood hallmarks of COVID-19 involving particular immune cell populations and their development, components of innate and adaptive immunity, and connectivity with the inflammatory response.

Behind enemy lines: research finds a new ally in the fight against cardiovascular disease hidden within the vessel wall itself

11 January 2022

A new study reveals the existence of a powerful ally in the fight against cardiovascular disease, a protective subset of vascular macrophages expressing the C-type lectin receptor CLEC4A2, a molecule which fosters "good" macrophage behaviour within the vessel wall.

A drug being trialled to treat cancer, could be the key to reducing gut inflammation

19 November 2021

Published in Nature Communications, a new study reveals a new signalling pathway behind macrophage inflammatory activity

Large genetic study suggests shared biological processes cause irritable bowel syndrome and anxiety

5 November 2021

An international study of more than 50,000 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has revealed that IBS symptoms may be caused by the same biological processes as conditions such as anxiety. The research highlights the close relationship between brain and gut health and paves the way for development of new treatments.