New PI will study the mechanical forces impacting cell fate decision-making and tissue dynamics in inflammatory diseases
23 November 2023
We welcome Adrien Hallou who has joined the Kennedy Institute as a new Principal Investigator. Adrien will be establishing his lab to better understand the role of mechanical forces on cell fate decisions and tissue dynamics in inflammatory diseases, with a particular focus on inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.
New discovery furthers our understanding of how critical immune cells are controlled during an infection
21 November 2023
A recent publication from Audrey Gérard’s lab looks at how a specific protein, called IFNγ, can coordinate CD8+ T cell responses during a flu infection.
University of Oxford DPhil Student attends Kenya Reception at Buckingham Palace
17 November 2023
Ruth Nanjala, DPhil student in Molecular and Cellular Medicine funded by the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Kennedy Trust Prize Studentship, attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to mark the 60th anniversary of Kenya’s independence. Ruth was invited in her capacity as student leader within the Oxford University Africa Society (AfriSoc).
Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research visits the Kennedy Institute
27 October 2023
The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research (KTRR) visited the Kennedy Institute in early October. The Institute benefits extensively from the generous support of the KTRR and the visit was a great opportunity to share stories of our scientific successes and discuss future directions.
New Principal Investigator will study the role of peripheral nerve-associated glial cells in health and disease
13 October 2023
We welcome Fränze Progatzky who joined us this month as a new Principal Investigator, establishing her research group to study how glial cells in the nervous system of the gut and the lungs maintain healthy organs and drive responses to infection and injury.
New professor named at the Kennedy
10 October 2023
Marco Fritzsche has been honoured in the 2023 Recognition of Distinction Scheme, the University of Oxford’s annual exercise to confer the title of full professor for excellence in research and teaching.
New research endoscopy service launches today
2 October 2023
The launch of a new endoscopy service at the Oxford Experimental Medicine Clinical Research Facility (EMCRF) will enhance the collection of data for research projects at NDORMS and across the University of Oxford.
Bioinformatician joins the Kennedy Institute to investigate shared patterns of inflammatory conditions
15 September 2023
We welcome Calliope (Calli) Dendrou who joined the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology this Summer as a Principal Investigator leading a research group. Calli is a leader in cross-disease multiomics and her research focuses on using omics (the study of totality of a molecular process in organisms) to find patterns shared by different inflammatory diseases, so that we can develop better treatments for these life-impacting conditions and repurpose existing treatments to help more people.
The Kennedy Institute celebrates support staff contributions
5 September 2023
The lunch with sandwiches, tea and strawberries was attended by staff and students and provided an opportunity to give some well-earned Long Service Awards.
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 partnership will accelerate AI-driven immunotherapies
17 May 2023
Absci will apply its generative AI platform to The Kennedy Institute’s immunology biorepository to speed the discovery and development of multiple therapies
Professor Michael Dustin elected to the Royal Society
10 May 2023
The Kennedy professor is one of eight researchers from Oxford University who received a prestigious fellowship from the Royal Society in recognition of their work in the fields of science and medicine.
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.