News

These prestigious 5-year grants from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) “provide long-term support for outstanding established scientists in basic or translational research fields” under CRUK’s overarching aim: “to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured”. Prof Gruneberg first established her research group at the University of Liverpool, joining the Dunn school in 2013, and...

The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology is launching the 2022 Summer Studentship Program. This program is aimed at undergraduate students excited about research in life sciences and looking for a hands-on experience.

The Dunn School’s actions against climate change are recognised with 13 LEAF Awards The status quo that high quality research is energy-intensive and requires high levels of consumption is now being challenged by conscientious Dunn School researchers. Typically, to ensure samples are well preserved and uncontaminated, scientists are trained to dispose of gloves, reagents, and...

Many congratulations to Omer Dushek, Fumiko Esashi and Ulrike Gruneberg We are delighted to announce that three Dunn School group leaders were recognised in this year’s University of Oxford Recognition of Distinction exercise. Omer Dushek is now Professor of Molecular Immunology. His group investigates the immunology of T cell receptor signal integration, at the interface...

Scientists at the Dunn School have shown that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can alter macrophages and potentially trigger hyper-inflammation (a ‘cytokine storm’) in patients. This research unravels a possible mechanism that can be targeted for future treatments to alleviate the severity of symptoms and save lives. Published in the journal Nature Immunology, the...

Congratulations to the four members of the Dunn School recognised in this year’s Teaching Excellence Awards The University of Oxford’s Medical Science Division recently announced the winners of this year’s Teaching Excellence Awards, recognising excellence in teaching and supervision within a research-intensive environment. 21 individuals or projects were recognised this year, four of which ...

Researchers from the Universities of Oxford and Dundee have made a discovery that helps explain why variations in the virus causes COVID-19 to spread so rapidly. Coronaviruses are so named because of the spikes on their surface that make it look like a crown, the Latin word for which is corona. The virus uses these spikes...

Immune cells in our body build protection against invading pathogens and eliminate tumours, and thus are essential for keeping us healthy. One particular important cell type in this process is the T lymphocyte, or T cell. T cells continuously circulate throughout the human body looking for abnormalities using receptor proteins on their surface called the...

The Dunn School Green Group participated in the launch of Great Big Green Week in Oxford City Centre on Saturday 18 September 2021. The Oxford launch is part of a nationwide week of campaigning by environmental organisations, taking place in the run up to the UN ‘COP26’ Climate Conference in Glasgow this Autumn.

Tanmay Bharat, a group leader at the Dunn School of Pathology, has been awarded a prestigious Lister Institute Research Prize in the 2021 funding round. He is one of only six researchers to secure the £250,000 grant award. The institute views Tanmay’s research as cutting edge and the prize acknowledges both his current performance as an early-career...

EMBO Director and Dunn School of Pathology Visiting Professor, Maria Leptin, has been appointed as the new President of the European Research Council, it was announced on 30 June 2021. Maria’s background in molecular biology and immunology, her managerial experience in science administration and advocacy, and familiarity with European institutions sets her in good stead to take up the...

Dunn School group leader Tanmay Bharat has won the 2021 Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigators, for his pioneering research in the field of antimicrobial resistance – specifically, on the structure and function of extracellular surface layers that surround and protect prokaryotic cells. The 20,000 Euro award celebrated during a live stream event on 24 June...

Professor Ervin Fodor’s standing as an eminent international scientist has been recognised by his election to The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) announced on 8 June 2021. The Professor of Virology at the Dunn School of Pathology is one of 64 new members elected this year and joins an illustrious current membership body of more than...

The Dunn School is again flying the rainbow flag, in support of Pride Month in June: a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary and queer social and self-acceptance, achievements, legal rights and pride. The theme of Pride 2021 is #InclusionMatters The Dunn School’s Diversity Working Group, Anti-Bullying and Harassment Working Group and Athena Swan Committee...

The retirement of finance manager Martin Wilkins after more than four decades at the Dunn School of Pathology was fondly celebrated at a picnic attended by admin and services colleagues in the University Parks on 26 May 2021.  The picnic was an informal farewell prior to an official send off at a garden party at Balliol College hosted by the...