New study maps the development of the human intestine
20 January 2021
Researchers in the Simmons lab chart the embryonic origins and appearance of diverse intestinal cellular compartments, with important implications for intestinal diseases.
MRC HIU appoints new Director
6 January 2021
We are pleased to announce that Professor Alison Simmons has been appointed as the new Director of the MRC Human Immunology Unit.
Research unpicks why immune responses decrease with age
27 November 2020
Study reveals what happens to blood cell production during the ageing process, which could help identify new therapeutic targets.
Study uncovers how low blood iron diminishes immune response
25 November 2020
The Drakesmith group finds that low blood serum iron levels can inhibit T-cell and B-cell immune responses to vaccines and infections.
Study finds new human blood disorder
18 November 2020
The Patel Group have discovered a new human disease caused by formaldehyde accumulation in cells
Interferon-b trial shows positive results
16 November 2020
A trial of a new inhaled antiviral drug for COVID-19 has shown positive results and the drug is now moving into a larger international phase 3 trial of hospitalised patients. MRC HIU's Professor Ling-Pei Ho is one of the main co-authors on the paper.
Role-playing computer game helps players understand how vaccines work on a global scale
8 October 2020
Centre for Computational Biology MRC HIU RDM
A free game launched today allows players to role-play the deployment of a virtual vaccine to help to halt the global spread of a viral pandemic.
New antibody maturation technique yields high-affinity arginase-2 antibody
18 September 2020
A team of researchers at the MRC HIU have played a major role in the development and validation of an innovative approach to the discovery of potent therapeutic antibodies, which could help to lay the foundations for a new cancer drug.
Researchers target previously unknown ‘genetic vulnerability’ in breast cancer cells
10 September 2020
New Nature paper reveals discovery of a genetic vulnerability in nearly 10% of breast cancer tumours and how this can be targeted to selectively kill cancer cells.
Persistent immune memory of COVID-19 found in recovered patient T cells
4 September 2020
New Nature Immunology paper finds strong T cell responses in recovered COVID-19 patients
Professor Anne Goriely awarded Enriching Engagement (Round 2) funding
25 August 2020
The awardees for the second round of the University of Oxford’s Enriching Engagement funding scheme have been announced, including six projects from across the Medical Sciences Division.
How do invasive Salmonella isolates evade immune responses?
24 August 2020
Researchers have identified a mechanism by which multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium strains evade immune system detection. The strains recently emerged in sub-Saharan Africa and are a major cause of ill-health and death in the region. Harnessing this mechanism may offer a therapeutic strategy to improve immunity