National guidelines have been developed for clinicians on the use of genomics to diagnose and care for patients with monogenic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of intestinal disorders caused by variations in a single gene. The new guidelines, unveiled in an article in the Lancet ... READ MORE
News for Inflammation across Tissues
Better diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases a step closer
A study involving Oxford researchers has outlined a way to find the crucial peptides (protein fragments) that drive autoimmunity, as well as the immune cells that respond to it. On a fundamental level, in autoimmune diseases immune cells mistake healthy cells for infected cells. Finding the ... READ MORE
Adalimumab found to be cost-effective treatment for early-stage Dupuytren’s disease
Oxford researchers supported by the Oxford BRC have found that the anti-TNF treatment adalimumab is likely to be a cost-effective treatment for people affected by early-stage Dupuytren’s disease. Anti-TNF treatments interfere with the action of a protein called tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and ... READ MORE
Professor Fiona Powrie recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
Professor Fiona Powrie, who leads the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre’s Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity Theme, has been honoured in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Prof Powrie, Director of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, was appointed Dame Commander of the Most Excellent ... READ MORE
Paediatric IBD BioResource opens to support vital research
A new National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource aimed at investigating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children has opened, with the NIHR Oxford BRC playing a key role. The new Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (PIBD) BioResource will drive research into Crohn’s ... READ MORE
Oxford BRC researchers named NIHR Senior Investigators
Seven Oxford academics, six of them supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), have been named National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators in recognition of their outstanding leadership in research. The NIHR describes its Senior Investigators as ... READ MORE
Genetic study highlights links between IBS and mental health disorders
Research funded and supported by the NIHR has revealed that symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be caused by the same biological processes as mental health conditions such as anxiety. IBS is a common condition worldwide, affecting around 1 in 10 people. The condition causes a wide ... READ MORE
New therapeutic targets identified to treat inflammatory bowel disease
A new study by University of Oxford researchers has identified potential new therapeutic targets for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), giving hope to millions of patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. The research team from the University’s Kennedy Institute of ... READ MORE
New atlas reveals pre-birth development of blood cells in bone marrow
A new study has provided the most detailed analysis so far of the prenatal development of blood and immune cells in the bone marrow. The study, published in Nature, is part of the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) initiative to provide comprehensive reference maps of every cell type in the human ... READ MORE
MAIT Cell activation may play role in COVID-19 deaths, study finds
Oxford researchers have found a correlation between deaths from COVID-19 infections and a poorly coordinated systemic immune response, as well as increased activity by Mucosal Associated Invariant T cells, or ‘MAIT cells’. A study involving Oxford BRC-supported researchers published ... READ MORE
New study launched to understand vaccine escape
Oxford researchers will be involved in a major new study seeking to understand why some people become infected after vaccination or prior infection while others do not Oxford BRC-supported investigators already involved in the Protective Immunity from T-Cells in Healthcare workers (PITCH) study ... READ MORE
Liver problems common among COVID-19 patients, study finds
A study by Oxford University researchers has found that liver problems are common among patients with COVID-19. Patient data revealed that baseline hypoalbuminemia (an possible indication that the liver is producing low levels of albumin) and rising alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which can be a ... READ MORE
Latest data on immune response to COVID-19 reinforces need for vaccination
A new study led by University of Oxford has found that previous infection, whether it was symptomatic or asymptomatic, does not necessarily protect you long term from COVID-19, particularly against new variants of concern. The PITCH Study (Protective Immunity from T cells to COVID-19 in Health ... READ MORE
AI endoscopy enables 3D surface measurements of pre-cancerous condition in oesophagus
Clinicians and engineers in Oxford have begun using artificial intelligence alongside endoscopy to get more accurate readings of the pre-cancerous condition Barrett’s oesophagus and so determine patients most at risk of developing cancer. In a research paper published in the journal ... READ MORE
Oxford BRC researchers named among new Academy of Medical Sciences fellows
A number of leading researchers supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre are among 50 prominent biomedical and health scientists elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences’ respected and influential Fellowship. The new Fellows include Oxford BRC experts who have spearheaded the ... READ MORE
Oxford researchers release cheap, quick COVID-19 antibody test
An international research team led by Oxford University scientists has developed a portable test for antibodies that fight the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The test, which spots the presence of virus-fighting antibodies rather than a coronavirus infection, can be adapted to work on ... READ MORE
New study finds strong immune response following COVID-19 vaccination
A new study has found that 99% of people generate a robust immune response against COVID-19 after just one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and that after two doses levels of protection were even stronger. The PITCH (Protective Immunity from T cells to COVID-19 in Health workers) study, led by ... READ MORE
Oxford academics named NIHR Senior Investigators
Four academics supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre have been awarded a prestigious national award. The University of Oxford professors have been named National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators in recognition of being “among the most prominent and ... READ MORE
Oxford collaborates with Janssen to map the cellular landscape of immune mediated disorders
The University of Oxford has entered into a strategic collaboration with Janssen Biotech to develop a cellular map of genes and proteins implicated across a range of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders and to characterise pharmacologically relevant therapeutic targets. Lead Oxford ... READ MORE
Paper urges use of genomics in care of monogenic IBD
Gastroenterology experts have had a position paper published that calls for genomic technologies to be considered an integral part of patient care to investigate patients at risk for monogenic forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The authors include a number of NIHR Oxford BRC-supported ... READ MORE