News http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-viewer/rss UCL's Division of Infection & Immunity's mission is the study of human infectious and autoimmune diseases with an emphasis on those relevant to the patient populations we serve. From a better understanding of pathogen biology and the human immune system, we aim to translate our knowledge into improved diagnosis and treatment of diseases and to provide an outstanding research training environment. Sunit Tamang 2011-03-09T15:49:59Z COMING UP: MRC Centenary UCL Open Day http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/05_03_2013b On Saturday 29 June 2013, the Centre will join other MRC-funded groups and units based at UCL to host a free Centenary Open Day and Science Fair to celebrate MCR-funded research at UCL. This will be a family fun day catering for all ages, with interactive exhibits, lab tours, talks, workshops and games. Other Units & Centres involved will be: Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2013-03-05T13:42:57Z WELCOME: New Centre Members http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/05_03_2013 The MRC Centre welcomes new members Dr Joe Grove , Dr Ravindra Gupta , Dr Helen Rowe, Prof David Sansom , Prof Gitta Stockinger , and Dr Lucy Walker . Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2013-03-05T12:58:09Z AWARDS http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/01_08_2012 Congratulations to Lucy Bell (Noursadeghi group), Laura McCoy (Weiss group), and Dimitra Peppa (Maini group) in receiving travels grants as part of the Centre's MRC Centenary Early Career Award.  Earlier this year, the MRC offered £12 million of Centenary Early Career Awards to the very best of its early career researchers, giving an opportunity to accelerate their research and career development, building on the achievements these researchers have already made whilst being supported by MRC. Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2012-08-01T12:33:12Z SYMPOSIUM: Second Annual CLMS Symposium http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/22_05_2012 Congratulations to PhD student James Heather , who has been selected to present at the Immunology themed plenary session at this event being held at UCL on 28 June.  Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2012-05-22T14:37:57Z PAPER: The gene that can transform mild influenza in to a life threatening disease http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/30_03_2012 A genetic finding could help to explain why influenza becomes a life-threatening disease for some people, and yet has only a mild effect on others. Collaborative research led by scientists at UCL and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute found that people who carry a particular variant of the IFITM3 gene are significantly more likely to be hospitalised when they fall ill with influenza than those who carry other variants. Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2012-03-30T14:09:42Z Successful PhD Studentship Candidates http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/05_03_2012 Congratulations to Alastair Hotblack, Richard Miles, and Matthew Paul for their successful award of 'Bench to Bedside' studentships .  This unique scheme offers students the opportunity to develop both the skills and experience to have an understanding and appreciation of the clinical context of their fields of research. Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2012-03-05T12:51:50Z Public Talk: From pathogen to Ally - Engineering Viruses to Treat Disease http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/19_01_2012 Recombinant DNA technology has been in widespread use since the 1980s. It has allowed the engineering of viral genomes to produce a number of safe and useful medicines. To mark World AIDS Day, this lecture by Prof Mary Collins discusses the development of engineered viruses, such as HIV, to treat rare genetic disorders – “gene therapy”- and the use of these engineered viruses as vaccines. Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2012-01-19T13:10:38Z MRC Centre Research Day 2011 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/18_01_2012 The MRC Centre Annual research Day held on November 11 2011 was a great success, offering an excellent overview of research currently conducted by Centre members, and insights on future work.  Full programme details and films of selected talks from the day can be currently found on our Research page . Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2012-01-18T10:59:47Z 'Bench to Bedside' PhD studentships - now available http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/21_11_2011 The MRC Centre for Medical Molecular Virology is now accepting applications for PhD studentships starting in September 2012.  For full details on the scheme, projects available, and how to apply please go to the MRC Centre website .  Applications close 15 December 2011. Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2011-11-21T14:30:19Z MRC Centre Annual Research Day 2011 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/31_10_2011 Friday 11 November 2011 from 9.00am, UCL Christopher Ingold Lecture Theatre Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2011-10-31T11:27:17Z LAUNCH: Bloomsbury Institute for Pathogen Research (BiPR) http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/25_10_2011 Tuesday 8 November, 2011, from 4pm Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2011-10-25T13:31:11Z PUBLIC TALK: Thomas More Institute, October 12th 2011 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/24_10_2011 On October 12th Ari Fassati gave a lecture at the Thomas More Institute, London, entitled "Conscience and Values in the Response to Infectious Diseases" as part of the conference series "Ethics in Public life". Former speakers of this series include Prof. Neil Scolding (Neuroscience Bristol University); Lord Justice Maurice Kay; Baroness Scotland (Attorney General for England and Wales). Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2011-10-24T09:32:56Z PAPER - PD-L1 co-stimulation contributes to ligand-induced T cell receptor down-modulation on CD8+ T cells http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/17_08_2011 Centre members Dr David Escors and Prof Mary Collins show that the interaction between programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) on dendritic cells (DCs) and programmed death 1 (PD-1) on CD8 T cells contributes to ligand-induced TCR down-modulation.  Full details can be found at the EMBO Molecular Medicine website . Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2011-08-17T09:39:24Z Mayflower Primary Visit http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/01_07_2011 MRC Centre members Prof Greg Towers, Dr Milne and their team were welcomed by years 3-6 pupils at Mayflower Primary School during June to share their knowledge of viruses and parasites, while the pupils engaged in hands-on activities find out more on the Public Engagement pages Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2011-07-01T15:55:46Z PhD COLLOQUIUM 2011 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/20_06_2011 The Colloquium this year on 6th June was again a great success, a great turn out of staff and students enjoyed a half day of talks, lunchtime poster session, and concluding with an evening drinks reception & prizegiving.  Students Dimitra Peppa and Ashleigh Howes took joint prize for best presentation, while Therese Matjeka walked away with prize for best poster.  A big thank you for all who contributed and attended. Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2011-06-20T13:24:33Z TALK - Current AIDS epidemic by Dr Ari Fassati http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/08_04_11 Dr. Ariberto Fassati will present an overview of the current AIDS epidemic.  Learn about the origin of HIV, prevention of transmission, treatment of infection and the most recent developments in pursuit of an effective vaccine.  Tickets are £35 and all proceeds go directly to mothers2mothers.  See http://www.m2m.org/get-involved/m4m2m/231.html for further details. Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Lauren J Collins 2011-04-08T08:32:26Z WINNER - UCL Graduate School Research Poster Competition 2011 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/mrc_ucl-centre/mrc-news/08-03-2011 Congratulations to Alistair Copland on winning first prize for the Biomedical Sciences category at this year's event.  For full details see the UCL Graduate School pages   Alistair is currently in his second year of study towards his PhD, as part of the 'Bench to Bedside' scheme. Centre for Medical Molecular Virology; information about Centre activities and research Sonja Van Praag 2011-03-08T12:47:15Z