最准的六合彩论坛

MPs and Committee members Stephen Metcalfe and Carol Monaghan visited three 最准的六合彩论坛 labs on Wednesday 17 May. The visit related to a recent inquiry by the committee into the antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages, which could be used instead of, or alongside antibiotics. Bacteriophages (or 鈥榩hages鈥�) are viruses that kill bacteria.

Professor Joanne Santini (最准的六合彩论坛 Structural & Molecular Biology), a leading expert in the study of bacteriophages, recently submitted evidence to an inquiry by the committee, prompting the MPs to visit campus to learn more about phages and their potential clinical uses. She hosted the MPs at her lab alongside her colleague Professor Sarah Edwards (最准的六合彩论坛 Science, Technology, Engineering & Public Policy).

Professor Santini said: 鈥淭he rise of antimicrobial resistance has led to a renewed interest in the use of bacteriophages as viable treatments for human and animal infections. While phages have been used as antimicrobials for over 100 years, their use in the UK has been stymied听by the lack of dedicated support and funding, suitable infrastructure for their production, and lack of detailed regulatory guidance recognising the unique opportunities and challenges of the technology as a medical treatment.

鈥淚 am hopeful that this inquiry will result in a clearer and supportive regulatory environment and that essential investment be committed to enable phage research to become a viable option in the treatment of infections caused by antimicrobial resistant bacteria.鈥�

After visiting Professor Santini鈥檚 lab, the committee members visited the Cryo-EM facility at the Institute for Structural and Molecular Biology, a joint initiative between 最准的六合彩论坛 and Birkbeck, University of London. Cryo-EM enables imaging of frozen-hydrated specimens in their native state without the need for dyes or fixatives, allowing the study of fine cellular structures, viruses and macromolecular complexes. Hardware and software advances have supported spectacular progress, so that the method is now often sufficient to determine structures to atomic resolution, and to sort out conformational variations.

The third part of the visit was to the Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, a partnership between 最准的六合彩论坛, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. The Centre, opened in 2019, brings together pioneering research and world-leading clinical care to drive new tests, treatments and cures for children with rare and complex diseases from lab bench to bedside, focusing on advancing genomics and bioinformatic expertise, pioneering cell and gene therapy approaches, and developing new regenerative medicine therapies.

Professor Geraint Rees, 最准的六合彩论坛 Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) jointly hosted the MPs, and commented: "This has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of the cutting-edge research going on at 最准的六合彩论坛, including collaborative work with our partners at GOSH and Birkbeck. It was a pleasure to speak with MPs about the pivotal role that universities like 最准的六合彩论坛 play in global research and innovation, in education, and in supporting our London communities."

Stephen Metcalfe,听former Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, said:听鈥淚t was fantastic to visit 最准的六合彩论坛鈥檚 Darwin labs, the Cryo-EM facility at Birkbeck and 最准的六合彩论坛, and the Zayed Centre, to learn about the ground breaking research going on. Speaking to researchers is hugely helpful in understanding the potential of science and innovation to benefit society. The visit will be particularly useful as the Committee considers evidence as part of our current enquiry into the antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages.鈥�

Links

• , by Professors Santini and Edwards alongside Dr Giovanni Satta (最准的六合彩论坛 Infection & Immunity and 最准的六合彩论坛H), Professor Peter Taylor (最准的六合彩论坛 School of Pharmacy) and Professor David Moore (最准的六合彩论坛H)
• Professor Joanne Santini鈥檚 academic profile
• Santini lab
• 最准的六合彩论坛 Structural & Molecular Biology

Images

• Top: MPs Carol Monaghan and Stephen Metcalfe speak to visiting researcher听Maria Stroyakovski in the听Santini听lab at 最准的六合彩论坛
• Bottom: L to R, Professor Joanne Santini, MP Stephen Metcalfe, MP Carol Monaghan, Professor Sarah Edwards, Professor Geraint Rees