Professor Peter Openshaw discusses Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most adults but it is the leading cause of hospitalisation in babies Step into the world of groundbreaking medical research with the latest episode of our podcast as Sir Andrew Pollard engages in a riveting conversation with the esteemed Professor Peter Openshaw from Imperial University. Peter Openshaw is a respiratory physician and mucosal immunologist researcher, studying how the immune system both protects against viral infection but also causes disease. He has run studies of human experimental infection of volunteers since 2008 and is Director of the HIC-Vac consortium established to accelerate vaccine development for pathogens of high global impact.
Delving deep into the realm of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection, this episode unveils the complexities of a common respiratory virus that can escalate into a serious health concern. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most adults but it can become more severe and it is the leading cause of hospitalisation in babies.
In this illuminating dialogue, listeners are treated to a comprehensive exploration of RSV, from its seemingly innocuous cold-like symptoms to its potential for severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations. The conversation navigates through Professor Openshaw's early investigations into immune responses, his fascination with inflammatory reactions, and the transformative advancements witnessed in RSV medical research over the years.
As the episode progresses, attention turns to the horizon of medical innovation, with a thoughtful examination of the challenges inherent in vaccine trials and the tantalising prospect of novel treatments for infectious diseases like RSV. Join Sir Andrew Pollard and Professor Peter Openshaw as they peer into the future, offering a glimpse of what lies ahead in the relentless pursuit of conquering respiratory ailments. Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/
All content for The Oxford Colloquy is the property of Oxford University and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Professor Peter Openshaw discusses Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most adults but it is the leading cause of hospitalisation in babies Step into the world of groundbreaking medical research with the latest episode of our podcast as Sir Andrew Pollard engages in a riveting conversation with the esteemed Professor Peter Openshaw from Imperial University. Peter Openshaw is a respiratory physician and mucosal immunologist researcher, studying how the immune system both protects against viral infection but also causes disease. He has run studies of human experimental infection of volunteers since 2008 and is Director of the HIC-Vac consortium established to accelerate vaccine development for pathogens of high global impact.
Delving deep into the realm of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection, this episode unveils the complexities of a common respiratory virus that can escalate into a serious health concern. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most adults but it can become more severe and it is the leading cause of hospitalisation in babies.
In this illuminating dialogue, listeners are treated to a comprehensive exploration of RSV, from its seemingly innocuous cold-like symptoms to its potential for severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations. The conversation navigates through Professor Openshaw's early investigations into immune responses, his fascination with inflammatory reactions, and the transformative advancements witnessed in RSV medical research over the years.
As the episode progresses, attention turns to the horizon of medical innovation, with a thoughtful examination of the challenges inherent in vaccine trials and the tantalising prospect of novel treatments for infectious diseases like RSV. Join Sir Andrew Pollard and Professor Peter Openshaw as they peer into the future, offering a glimpse of what lies ahead in the relentless pursuit of conquering respiratory ailments. Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/
Professor Eddie Holmes, who co-authored the publication of the genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 through work with colleagues in Wuhan, China speaks to Professor Andrew Pollard about his scientific career and this pivotal pandemic work. An interview between Prof Sir Andrew Pollard and Prof Eddie Holmes, an evolutionary biologist, fellow of the Academy of Sciences in Australia and the Royal Society. The discussion delves into the evolution of coronaviruses, with a particular focus on the origins of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. The interview begins by exploring Eddie's academic journey, from a background in social anthropology to his transition into the field of viruses and evolutionary genetics. The conversation highlights the rapid mutation rates of viruses, particularly viruses like HIV, which mutate daily in infected individuals. The episode develops further, discussing how Eddie found himself at the forefront of pandemic research, thanks to his previous work and collaborations in China. He explains the sequence of events leading to his involvement, from collaborating with researchers in Wuhan and Shanghai to the critical role in identifying the virus responsible for the outbreak and sharing this information internationally.
The conversation then explores the role of mutation tracking in determining the cross-species transmission of viruses, such as COVID-19, which allows scientists to trace the origins of a virus and determine potential reservoir species. Eddie provides insights into the origins of SARS-CoV-2 through natural mutation between species, and highlights the challenges and criticisms faced by scientists involved in the investigation.
The discussion also explores how the environment, which includes factors like drugs, vaccines, and the host's immune response, influences the mutations in viruses. Eddie explains that the environment acts as a selective sieve, allowing certain mutations to survive and shaping the evolution of the virus. Regarding the long-term control of highly mutable viruses, such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2, Eddie suggests that while predicting and targeting the right mutations is challenging, it is not impossible. He discusses the potential for AI to improve prediction and intervention strategies. However, the ongoing evolution of viruses and the need to adapt drugs and vaccines to new variants remain challenges to be addressed. The podcast provides valuable insights into the fascinating world of viral evolution, offering a glimpse into the complexities of viruses and their impact on human health. Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/
The Oxford Colloquy
Professor Peter Openshaw discusses Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most adults but it is the leading cause of hospitalisation in babies Step into the world of groundbreaking medical research with the latest episode of our podcast as Sir Andrew Pollard engages in a riveting conversation with the esteemed Professor Peter Openshaw from Imperial University. Peter Openshaw is a respiratory physician and mucosal immunologist researcher, studying how the immune system both protects against viral infection but also causes disease. He has run studies of human experimental infection of volunteers since 2008 and is Director of the HIC-Vac consortium established to accelerate vaccine development for pathogens of high global impact.
Delving deep into the realm of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection, this episode unveils the complexities of a common respiratory virus that can escalate into a serious health concern. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most adults but it can become more severe and it is the leading cause of hospitalisation in babies.
In this illuminating dialogue, listeners are treated to a comprehensive exploration of RSV, from its seemingly innocuous cold-like symptoms to its potential for severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations. The conversation navigates through Professor Openshaw's early investigations into immune responses, his fascination with inflammatory reactions, and the transformative advancements witnessed in RSV medical research over the years.
As the episode progresses, attention turns to the horizon of medical innovation, with a thoughtful examination of the challenges inherent in vaccine trials and the tantalising prospect of novel treatments for infectious diseases like RSV. Join Sir Andrew Pollard and Professor Peter Openshaw as they peer into the future, offering a glimpse of what lies ahead in the relentless pursuit of conquering respiratory ailments. Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/