News for Haematology and Stem Cells
Oxford researchers meet patients to discuss new Advanced Cellular Therapies Centre
Oxford researchers have met with members of the Oxford Blood Group to discuss plans for an Advanced Cellular Therapies Centre. Plans for the creation of an Oxford Advanced Cellular Therapies Centre have been supported by NIHR Research Capability Funding. The proposed centre will bring together scientists, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and a treatment centre for the … Read more
Eight BRC projects get RCF funding
Eight Oxford BRC proposals, many covering a number of themes, have been awarded NIHR Research Capability Funding (RCF) funding to take forward key areas of research. The selected projects that will be supported include: Developing a research centre devoted to urgent and acute care The creation of a state-of-the-art imaging centre; and of a new … Read more
Test developed to identify new-borns at risk of leukaemia
Oxford researchers have developed a new method to quickly identify cancerous cells in babies at risk of leukaemia. The team hope that the new protocol could make rapid testing more accessible for clinical laboratories around the globe. Until now, the only reliable way to know if a baby with Down’s syndrome is at risk of … Read more
Serum iron may be useful biomarker to identify COVID-19 disease severity
A new study led by University of Oxford researchers has found that patients with severe COVID-19 respiratory failure have very low levels of iron, compared to those with less severe disease. Changes in iron levels have been associated with worsening disease for other viral infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C, but this is the … Read more
BRC funds three further COVID-19 studies
Three more studies are being funded by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) to look at the way the body interacts with COVID19; these include assessing the safety of a new vaccine; the role that antibodies might play in plasma therapy; and blood biomarkers that determine adverse reactions in those that have been infected. … Read more
Seven new Senior Fellows named
The Oxford BRC is delighted to announce the appointment of seven new Senior Research Fellows, the second cohort of emerging research leaders to receive the accolade. The selection process was a coordinated effort by the Oxford BRC and its partners in the NIHR Oxford Health BRC, which focuses on mental health and dementia, and the … Read more
Oxford haematologists win national awards to further their research
Two consultant haematologists at the Oxford Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre (OHTC), based at the Churchill Hospital, have been awarded funding for their research as part of a new national scheme. Dr Nicola Curry and Dr Susie Shapiro were among the recipients of the new Clinical Academic Research Partnerships (CARPs), awarded by the Medical Research Council … Read more
Study discovers genetic changes linked to leukaemia in children with Down’s syndrome
Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered the specific gene mutations that are required for the development of leukaemia in children with Down’s syndrome. Children with Down’s syndrome have a 150-fold increased risk of myeloid leukaemia, and while some of the genetic causes of this have been previously established, this is the first study … Read more
Oxford Blood Group: Exchange Newsletter Issue 3 vol 1 / June 2019
Patient involvement partnership sets priorities for rare inherited anaemias
On the occasion of Rare Diseases Day, marked every year on the last day of February, we are sharing this article about how patients, carers, clinicians and researchers are collaborating to decide key questions to shape future research into rare forms of anaemia. Patients with anaemia lack red blood cells, or haemoglobin, which means that … Read more
Oxford researchers develop new technique to analyse cancer cells’ life history
A team of researchers from the University of Oxford has developed a new technique that allows scientists to reliably track genetic errors in individual cancer cells, and find out how these might lead to uncontrollable growth. The research by the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, could … Read more
Oxford Blood Group: Exchange Newsletter Issue 1 vol 2 / Nov 2018
Researchers map leukaemia ‘family trees’ in patients treated with new drug
A team of international researchers, including experts from NIHR Oxford BRC, has for the first time mapped the family trees of cancer cells in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) to understand how this blood cancer responds to a new drug, enasidenib. The work also explains what happens when a patient stops responding to the treatment, providing … Read more
New haematology patient group launched
The launch of a new patient engagement group for those with blood conditions has brought together patients, clinicians and researchers to discuss how to get patient involved in research. A screening of the film People are Messy at the Ultimate Picture Palace followed by a group discussion marked the launch of the Oxford Blood Group, a new local … Read more
Oxford Centre for Haematology stages inaugural event
The new Oxford Centre for Haematology has held its inaugural event at Keble College, Oxford. The event, which will be held annually, was attended by around 200 academics, healthcare professionals and representatives of industry. Some speakers travelled from as far away as the United States. The event was opened by Prof Paresh Vyas, Director of … Read more
Oxford medical researchers win prestigious national awards
Leading health researchers in Oxford have been recognised in a prestigious national competition. Eight professors have been named National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators in recognition of their “outstanding contribution to clinical and applied health and social care research”. The successful candidates are all prominent researchers in the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre … Read more
Oxford Centre for Haematology launched
The new Oxford Centre for Haematology has been launched with funding from the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), bringing together University of Oxford researchers and clinicians from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The aim of this new virtual centre is to bring people working in haematology together to improve the understanding and treatment … Read more
MDS Patient Support Group learn more about treatment of condition
Patients and relatives affected by Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) have visited the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM) at the John Radcliffe Hospital to find out more about advances in treating the condition. The members of the Oxford and Thames Valley MDS Patient Support Group visited the WIMM Friday 29 September. MDS are a group … Read more
Researchers thank Bloodwise fundraisers for funding critical leukaemia trial
Staff and patients at the Oxford Cancer Centre at the Churchill Hospital have thanked fundraisers for the Bloodwise charity who have raised enough money to fully fund a trial of a new leukaemia drug. The staff and patient Thelma, who has been on the trial, sent their appreciation in a video to Bloodwise after fundraisers, … Read more