Oxford Medical Sciences Division

Image of book cover and details of the book club on 11 August, 12:00-13:00 in the Beeson Room, Cairns Library, John Radcliffe Hospital.

Calling all book lovers in @ouhospitals.bsky.social & @medsci.ox.ac.uk. The OUH Book Club at the Cairns Library meets monthly and you’re invited. Come and dive into a new book and chat with fellow readers in a relaxed setting. All welcome.

Events calendar: ox-ac.libcal.com/calendar/hcl...

Identifying research priorities for severe paranoia We talk to lead author David Sher about his paper, which aimed to establish potential research priorities for understanding and treating severe paranoia for the first time.

NEWS: Identifying research priorities for severe paranoia

David Sher talks about his latest paper looking at the top 15 research priorities of people with persecutory delusions (severe paranoia) and their carers. @oxexppsy.bsky.social‬ and @oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social‬

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

'I always say that inclusion without influence is tokenism' - Chris Frederick at the Race and Psychiatry Journal Club DPhil student Maya Ogonah, co-founder of the Race and Psychiatry journal Club in the Department of Psychiatry, interviews Chris Frederick, a mental health lived experience advisor and suicide attempt survivor.

NEWS: Interview with Chris Frederick at the Race & Psychiatry Journal Club

Maya Ogonah, co-founder of the Race and Psychiatry journal Club, @oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social‬, interviews Chris Frederick, a mental health lived experience advisor and suicide attempt survivor.

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Babies made using three people's DNA are born free of hereditary disease Eight babies born free of hereditary disease using DNA from three people.

NEWS: Babies made using three people's DNA are born free of hereditary disease

The technique combines DNA from biological parents with healthy mitochondria from a female donor. The UK is the first country to legalise mitochondrial donation.

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

'This study has identified how specific illnesses tend to co-exist with each other, and also the critical time windows in which they could pose the greatest risk. This highlights the importance of taking into account other pre-existing illnesses when estimating a person’s chances of developing dementia and could help inform targeted strategies to reduce the risk at certain points in the lifespan.' Associate Professor Sana Suri, Oxford Brain Sciences Senior Fellow

🔊NEW RESEARCH:
A new study shows that developing cardiovascular, mental health and neurological-related illnesses before the age of 70 is associated with a greater risk of dementia later in life, with the more of these conditions accumulated the greater the risk.

Immune cells show promise in treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy A new study from scientists at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, and funded by the British Heart Foundation, has uncovered a potential new treatment for hypertrophic car...

A new study led by RDM researchers has found that immune cells may play a role in treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Read more 👇

shorturl.at/AmdBV

@harvardmed.bsky.social @thebhf.bsky.social @medsci.ox.ac.uk

Finger pressing a 'Register now' button on a screen

Microbiome Innovation One Health Conference 2025

15 & 16 September, Mathematical Institute

Industry and academic leaders will share their real-world experience and expertise in research, innovation, translation, regulation, IP, and manufacturing.

Book your place ➡️ web.cvent.com/event/...

Researchers, impact pros, collaborators: If you're working at the edge of change, we want to hear from you! Submit your session idea for #OxSSIC26 & help us explore how #socialsciences research is having meaningful impact in the face of global uncertainty www.socsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Illustration of hands holding a newsletter

STAFF & STUDENTS: Our July Oxford MedSci Newsletter is hot off the press!

Catch up with the latest news, events, internal funding opportunities and more 👉www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

A close-up photo of the top of a wooden bookcase, on which there is an A4 sign which reads 'Welcome to our Wellbeing and Fiction Collection, here to help you relax and unwind'. There are also a handful of books on the top of the bookcase, including Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin and Sunbathing in the Rain by Gwyneth Lewis.

Need a break from your 600 page book about neurology? The Cairns Library at the JR has a small collection of classic & contemporary literature, from Jane Austen to CJ Sansom.

These books are available 24/7 to borrow or enjoy in the library.
@ouhospitals.bsky.social @medsci.ox.ac.uk

What Elio can help teach us about eye patching, stigma and the developing brain Disney Pixar’s latest film, Elio, follows a familiar-sounding character, a lovable and imaginative young hero who dreams of finding a place where he truly belongs. But amid the colour and chaos of the film’s outer space setting, one subtle detail stands out: Elio wears an eye patch.

NEWS: What Elio can help teach us about eye patching, stigma and the developing brain

Eye patches are commonly used to treat “lazy eye”. Yet, despite how common visual conditions are, positive representation of patch-wearing is rare in popular media.

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Ethnic disparities persist in COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease A new study has found that people from non-White ethnic backgrounds in England and Wales continued to be disproportionately impacted by severe outcomes after COVID-19 such as cardiovascular disease.

NEWS: Ethnic disparities persist in COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease

A study has found that people from non-White ethnic backgrounds continued to be disproportionately impacted by severe outcomes after COVID-19 such as cardiovascular disease.

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

NIHR Be Part of Research: Get matched to health and care studies that suit you. Sign up today

Be Part of Research makes it easy to take part in health and care research.

Through #BePartOfResearch, you can find and take part in research into nearly every major health condition - as well as social care research.

Sign up and make a difference: http://bepartofresea...

Oxford’s OrganOx wins the MacRobert Award 2025 The Royal Academy of Engineering has announced that OrganOx has won the £50,000 MacRobert Award, the longest running and most prestigious prize for UK engineering innovation, for its life-saving technology that is supporting more organ transplants and helping to cut waiting lists.

NEWS: Oxford’s OrganOx wins the MacRobert Award 2025

🎉Congratulations to the OrganOx team! The Royal Academy of Engineering has recognised OrganOx for the life-saving technology that is supporting more organ transplants and helping to cut waiting lists.

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Helen Byrne wins Naylor Prize and Lectureship in Applied Mathematics Professor Helen Byrne has won the 2025 Naylor Prize and Lectureship in Applied Mathematics from the London Mathematical Society.

NEWS: Helen Byrne wins Naylor Prize and Lectureship in Applied Mathematics

🎉Congratulations to Prof Byrne! She has been recognised for her contributions using mathematical and statistical approaches to understand the mechanisms that drive tumour growth.

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Oxford researchers become EMBO members Two University of Oxford academics have become the latest to join the eminent life scientists in Europe and beyond that make up the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).

NEWS: Professor Ana Domingos (@oxforddpag.bsky.social‬) and Professor Matt Higgins (@oxfordbiochemistry.bsky.social‬) have been elected to the EMBO Membership in recognition of their outstanding achievements.

Congratulations! 🎉

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Illustration of medical scientists and clinicians, alongside medical equipment and concepts

Thinking about a career in medicine? 🩺

Join us for our Graduate Entry Medicine Open Afternoon on Friday 18 July, 2-4pm at the Medical Sciences Teaching Centre.

Discover the course, meet tutors & students, and get your questions answered!

Register in advance to attend ➡️ www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Illustration of hands holding a newsletter

STAFF & STUDENTS: Our June Oxford MedSci Newsletter is hot off the press!

Catch up with the latest news, events, internal funding opportunities and more 👉www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Volunteers needed

VOLUNTEER: Are you interested in taking part in a study to explore digital technologies and wake/sleep patterns? Or a study about home blood pressure monitoring?

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer for studies across @medsci.ox.ac.uk‬ 👉 www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

NIHR Be Part of Research: You can take part whether you have a health condition or not. Sign up today.

Be Part of Research makes it easy to take part in health and care research.

The free online service matches volunteers to health and care studies, based on your interests, taking place online or at locations near you.

Sign up to #BePartOfResearch today: http://bepartofresea...

NDCN researchers to co-lead new £50m MRC Centre to develop medical device-based therapies for brain conditions A new Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) aims to develop brain stimulation devices to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke and childhood epilepsy.

🔊NDCN researchers to co-lead new £50m MRC Centre.

The new Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) aims to develop brain stimulation devices to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke and childhood epilepsy.

Read more: tinyurl.com/mr359x2d

Oxford to lead new £50m MRC Centre to develop brain stimulation device-based therapies A new Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) aims to develop brain stimulation devices to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke and childhood epilepsy.

NEWS: Oxford to lead new £50m MRC Centre to develop brain stimulation device-based therapies

The centre will develop brain stimulation devices to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke and childhood epilepsy.

@ndcnoxford.bsky.social‬ @oxengsci.bsky.social‬
www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Spotlight on Engagement: A Conversation with Jasmine Blane Meet Jasmine Blane, a DPhil student in the Department of Psychiatry, working with the Oxford Brain Health Clinic, and also Patient and Public Involvement Lead for the Oxford Health BRC Dementia Theme. In this interview, Jasmine discusses her research using digital cognitive assessments to support people living with dementia, highlights the power of listening to lived experiences, and shares practical advice for researchers interested in public engagement.

Spotlight on Engagement: In this interview, Jasmine Blane (DPhil student in @oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social‬ and Patient & Public Involvement Lead for the @oxhealthbrc.bsky.social‬ Dementia Theme) highlights the power of listening to lived experiences.

Read the interview 👇
www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Associate Professor reaches new heights with the Thames Valley Air Ambulance David Metcalfe, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), has begun a two-year secondment with Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

NEWS: @ndorms.bsky.social‬ Associate Professor David Metcalfe has begun a two-year secondment with Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

This secondment will allow David to study treatments that are used to help patients before as well as after they arrive at hospital.

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Illustration of medical concepts and medical scientists and clinican

Thinking about a career in medicine? 🩺

Join us for our Graduate Entry Medicine Open Afternoon on Friday 18 July, 2-4pm at the Medical Sciences Teaching Centre.

Discover the course, meet tutors & students, and get your questions answered!

Register in advance to attend ➡️ www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

Oxford academics awarded European Research Council Advanced Grants for cutting-edge research Seven researchers at the University of Oxford, including four from Medical Sciences, have been awarded Advanced Grants from the European Research Council, each worth up to €2.5 million over a period o...

NEWS: Medical Sciences researchers awarded @erc.europa.eu Advanced Grants

Huge congratulations to:
Prof Ana Domingos @oxforddpag.bsky.social
Prof Kevin Foster @dunnschool.bsky.social
Prof Deirdre Hollingsworth @ndm.ox.ac.uk
Prof Peter Visscher @oxpop.bsky.social

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/news/oxford-...

King's Birthday Honours 2025 Professor Andrew Carr has been recognised and celebrated in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours list.

NEWS: King's Birthday Honours 2025

Professor Andrew Carr ‪@ndorms.bsky.social‬ has been appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Orthopaedic Research and Training.

Congratulations, Professor Carr! 🎉

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...

The 2025 Oxford Cancer Immuno-Oncology Network Funding Scheme is now officially open! Applications for up to £20,000 to pump-prime innovative, high-risk and proof-of-concept Oxford-based immuno-oncology research are welcomed.

Full details on our website 👇

www.cancer.ox.ac.uk/news/OCION_P...

NEWS: Oxford strengthens global mindfulness research with £1 million gift

Housed within the University’s Department of Psychiatry and directed by Professor Willem Kuyken, the Oxford Mindfulness Research Centre has led the field in evidence-based mindfulness programmes for more than two decades.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Help us to understand how pneumonia vaccines work! If you are 18-50 years old, and in good health, then you may be eligible to take part in the study.

For further information, please visit

www.ovg.ox.ac.uk/stu...