Translational and Clinical

Translational and Clinical Medicine is the ongoing effort to bring basic science from the bench to the patient, as well as to elucidate safety and effectiveness of the medicines on which we depend. The NDM podcasts on translational and clinical medicine detail our work in this wide-ranging field, from the identification and design of new medicines to clinical trials and trial design and regulation.

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Episodes

A deep breath in

Asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are common conditions that affect the lives of many people. Dr Mona Bafadhel studies the pathophysiology of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). There are broadly two inflammatory phenotypes of COPD that are clinically indistinguishable but have different treatment responses. Dr Bafadhel is working on the development of novel therapeutic strategies for COPD, particularly to treat the regular periods of worsened symptoms that patien...

Jul 28, 2015•5 min

Chemistry, epigenetics and drugs

Alteration of gene expression is fundamental to many diseases. A better understanding of how epigenetic proteins affect diseases provides a starting point for therapy development and the discovery of new drug. Professor Paul Brennan research focusses on epigenetics: the mechanisms that control gene expression. He studies how chemical probes interfere with epigenetic enyzmes that can be targeted to treat various diseases. Epigenetics combined with disease biology will ultimately accelerate drug d...

Jul 28, 2015•4 min

The genetics of metabolic diseases

A missing step in a metabolic pathway leads to the build-up of toxic compounds, and the lack of materials essential for normal function. Professor Wyatt Yue explores how genetic defects lead to disease at the molecular level, by determining 3D structures and biochemical properties of enzymes and protein complexes linked to congenital genetic errors. Professor Yue works closely with clinicians and paediatricians to decipher the underlying genetic, biochemical and cellular mechanisms of these dise...

Jul 28, 2015•5 min

Biological imaging

Video microscopy aims to improve target discovery and drug development and to do so generates large volumes of data. Professor Jens Rittscher has a joint appointment between the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the Target Discovery Institute and the Department of Engineering Science. His research aims to enhance our understanding of complex biological processes through the analysis of image data acquired at the microscopic scale.

Feb 09, 2015•7 min

Pharmacogenomics

Dr Sebastian Nijman develops new approaches to study signalling networks in cancer cells and uncover specific weaknesses, particularly in breast and lung cancer. This can be used to develop more effective drugs and to better guide treatment decisions. In the context of cancer, genetic diversity means that we respond differently to various treatments. Pharmacogenomics sits at the intersection between genetics and drugs. Better understanding of the genetic landscape of cancer and the recent increa...

Feb 09, 2015•4 min

The Global Health Network

Dr Trudie Lang tells us how the Global Health Network facilitates collaboration and resource sharing. Clinical trials establish the evidence base for prevention and treatment of disease and are critically important in the field of Global Health. Dr Trudie Lang leads the Global Health Clinical Trials group, which aims to promote and improve the conduct of non-commercial clinical research across all diseases in resource-poor settings.

Jun 26, 2013•5 min

Respiratory Medicine

Dr Najib Rahman talks about his research on respiratory medicine. The Pleura are thin membranes that cover the surface of the lungs. Dr Najib Rahman specialises in areas of respiratory medicine including pleural disease and the conduct and analysis of respiratory trials. Dr Rahman is currently conducting clinical studies in malignant and infectious pleural disease, and is Clinical Director of the Oxford Respiratory Trials Unit.

May 28, 2013•6 min

Development of chemical probes

Professor Stefan Knapp tells us how the development of chemical probes helps us to find new drugs. The role of proteins in cellular signalling and disease is best studied through the development of highly specific chemical inhibitors, which can serve as a tool molecule for functional studies. Professor Stefan Knapp works to determine the structure of protein molecules to understand their regulation and to aid the design of selective inhibitors that can be developed further into efficient drugs

May 21, 2013•7 min

Membrane proteins and drug development

Dr Liz Carpenter talks about her research on membrane proteins and drug development. Membrane proteins are the gateways to our cells - with nutrients, waste products, and even DNA and proteins entering and leaving cells via these tightly controlled proteins. Drugs often target membrane proteins; therefore, understanding their molecular structure helps us design better drugs. Dr Liz Carpenter uses X-ray crystallography to solve membrane protein structures. This information is then used to improve...

Apr 29, 2013•5 min

Clinical Trials in Gastroenterology

Dr Simon Travis tells us how clinical trials bring tomorrow's treatments to patients today. Before translating basic research into the clinic it is important to first undergo clinical trials in order to identify safe treatments and therapies for disease. Led by Dr Simon Travis, the Gastroenterology Clinical Trials Facility at Oxford University works to translate basic research into clinical trials of novel therapies for gastrointestinal and liver disease.

Mar 25, 2013•4 min

Proteomics and Biomarkers

Dr Benedikt Kessler tells us how proteomics helps find biomarkers. Biomarkers are molecular features that give us clues about underlying biological processes. They are typically used to monitoring a disease or predicting the outcome of a treatment. Modern analytical equipment allows us to measure thousands of molecules at the same time. Dr Benedikt Kessler studies the role of deubiquitylating enzymes, involved in the elimination of proteins marked by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Alterations ...

Jun 07, 2011•9 min

Drug Discovery

Professor Chas Bountra explains how new drugs can offer novel treatments for neurodegenerative and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as pain disorders. Professor Chas Bountra is interested in identifying and validating target proteins for drug discovery. Various technologies and strategies have allowed him to progress promising clinical candidates into Phase I, II, III studies, and to market. Drug candidates are first selected by screening compounds capable of binding to a target protein. Those...

Dec 20, 2010•5 min

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