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 body. The research team include … Read more
News for Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity
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 in PLOS Pathogens suggests there is a link between inflammatory responses in the body and increased mortality. In … 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 will be part of a consortium of academic partners involved in the … 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 sign of liver damage, could be prognostic markers for death. However, the … 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 workers) examined how the immune system responds to COVID-19 … 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 Gastroenterology, the researchers said the new AI-driven 3D reconstruction of Barrett’s oesophagus achieved 97.2 … 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 COVID-19 response, such as Professor Sarah Gilbert, who led the team developing … 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 blood from a finger prick, making it quick and easy to … 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 Oxford and Sheffield Universities with … 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 prestigious researchers funded by the NIHR and the most outstanding leaders of patient and people-based research within the NIHR research … 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 investigator for the project, Professor Holm Uhlig, said: “This exciting endeavour brings together a world-leading group … 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 researchers. The paper, published in the Journal of Paediatric Gastroenterology and … Read more
IBD treatments do not increase susceptibility to COVID-19, study finds
Research by Oxford scientists has shown that rates of COVID-19 infection are not increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who are being treated with the drugs infliximab or vedolizumab. The study data suggest there is no reason for treatment with these drugs to be stopped. The paper, published on the pre-print server medRxiv, … Read more
Using AI to improve the quality of endoscopy videos
A multidisciplinary team of researchers has developed a deep-learning framework for improving endoscopy to aid the detection of cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases. Cancers detected at an earlier stage have a much higher chance of being treated successfully. The main method for diagnosing cancers of the gastrointestinal tract is endoscopy, when a long flexible tube … Read more
Patients with cirrhosis at increased risk of death from COVID-19, study finds
An international study led by researchers at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has shown that patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk of dying as a result of COVID-19. The study, published in the Journal of Hepatology, found that mortality from COVID-19 was particularly high among patients with more advanced cirrhosis (called Childs-Pugh B … Read more
Persistent immune memory of COVID-19 found in recovered patient T cells
Oxford University researchers have found that infection with COVID-19 produces a robust T cell response, including inducing T cell ‘memory’ to potentially fight future infections. The results, published in Nature Immunology, are a joint effort from the Oxford COVID-19 immunology group, led by the Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine … 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
Study maps role CD8 T cells play in IBD
Researchers in Oxford using an ‘atlas’ of immune cells in the human colon have found evidence of the role of CD8 T cells in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The findings could lead to a better understanding of how cells behave and interact in people with IBD, and could pave the way for more targeted treatments … 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
Common antibody test can be adapted for COVID-19, study finds
Research led from Oxford has found that an immunological assay commonly used to measure antibodies, antigens and proteins in biological samples can be specifically adapted to detect and quantifying COVID-19 antibodies. The investigations by the National COVID Testing Scientific Advisory Panel were co-ordinated by Prof Derrick Crook at the University of Oxford. The trial involved researchers at … Read more