NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • A Guide to What We Do
    • Activities during COVID-19
    • Strategic Partnership Board
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Contact Us
    • Stay in Touch
  • Research
        • OUR 20 RESEARCH THEMES

        • Antimicrobial Resistance and Modernising Microbiology
        • Cardiovascular
        • Clinical Informatics and Big Data
        • Diabetes and Metabolism
        • Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Haematology and Stem Cells
        • Imaging
        • Molecular Diagnostics
        • Multi-Modal Cancer Therapies
        • Multi-Morbidity and Long-Term Conditions
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Neurological Conditions
        • Obesity, Diet and Lifestyle
        • Partnerships for Health, Wealth and Innovation
        • Respiratory
        • Stroke and Vascular Dementia
        • Surgical Innovation and Evaluation
        • Technology and Digital Health
        • Vaccines for Emerging and Endemic Diseases
        • Oxford Biomedical Research Centre activities during COVID-19
  • Patient & Public Involvement
    • Getting involved with research
    • Researcher Guidance
    • Post an opportunity for patient and public involvement
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Preparatory Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • What Can We Do For Your Organisation?
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • IP and Licensing
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > Other News > BRC HIV research showcased at Chelsea Flower Show

BRC HIV research showcased at Chelsea Flower Show

18 May 2018 · Listed under Other News, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement

Scientists backed by NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRC) have teamed up with designers and young people living with HIV to create a show garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The garden, whose theme is ‘HIV: stigma and cure’, highlights the successes and challenges still faced by young people living with HIV.

The garden was conceived by Professor John Frater from the University of Oxford and Professor Sarah Fidler from Imperial College London. Jointly they lead the NIHR BRC CHERUB collaboration (Collaborative HIV Eradication of Reservoirs UK BRC) – a UK network of internationally recognised doctors and researchers from the NIHR Biomedical Research Centres at Oxford, Cambridge and London working together with patients to find a cure for HIV infection.

There are 37 million people living with HIV around the world, and around two million people are infected every year, or one person every 15 seconds. A child is infected every three and a half minutes.

Prof Frater, who is supported by the NIHR Oxford BRC, said: “HIV remains a major global problem even though it is much less in the news. Despite the dramatic success of HIV treatment, which has changed HIV from being a death sentence into a manageable but lifelong condition, there’s still an enormous amount of HIV-associated stigma.

“Coming to terms with HIV-related stigma is a key part of helping all people living with HIV to live a healthy life and to take their daily medication, which is something we wanted to highlight in through this garden.”

Prof Fidler said: “The first important step towards finding a cure for HIV requires years of daily HIV medication which leads to very low levels of virus in the body. Once this has been achieved, we are searching for new ways to try and cure HIV. The NIHR-supported CHERUB collaboration is working together to look for new treatments and tests that might allow people to stop their medicines and remain free from the virus.”

The show garden, the first that designer Naomi Ferrett Cohen has created since she graduated from the London College of Garden Design, charts the journey of a young person living with HIV, exploring the stigma and marginalisation they may encounter along their journey from the safety and protection of attending an NHS clinic, towards a normal life of acceptance and freedom.

Young people from CHIVA, the Children’s HIV Association, were involved in the design of the garden, sharing their thoughts and experiences of growing up with HIV.

The unveiling of the garden comes shortly before the announcement of the results of the ‘RIVER’ trial, which has taken place in the UK and is the first formal randomised trial exploring a possible cure for HIV infection.

Prof Frater is co-Principle Investigator and Scientific Lead for the CHERUB project.

← Exercise does not slow mental decline in people with dementia, study finds
JRO opens doors for Clinical Trials Day →

News

  • Environmental impact of 57,000 multi-ingredient processed foods revealed for first time 9 August 2022
  • £1.2m award to improve diagnosis of emergency spinal condition 4 August 2022
  • Workshop helps public contributors become ‘citizen experts’ on equality and diversity in research 4 August 2022
See full news archive

News Categories

Month Archives

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at obrcenquiries@ouh.nhs.uk

  • Sitemap
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre