Virology

Understanding viruses in the laboratory to tackle them in the clinic

Wright-Fleming Seminar Series

The programme for the Winter-Spring 2020 Wright Wright-Fleming Institute Infection and Immunity Seminar Series has now been confirmed.

Find out more about upcoming events in the series.

18 group leaders sit within the Section of Virology, most of whom have their laboratory and/or clinical base at the St Mary’s Campus. Their research areas stretch from understanding the molecular details of how viruses manipulate the host cell machinery and subvert immune responses, to optimizing strategies to deliver novel therapies to patients.

The viruses studied within the Section range from the small RNA viruses that cause respiratory infection to the large complex DNA viruses that lead to persistent infections and cancer. There is a strong focus on retrovirology, including strategies for HIV cure, and the early detection and treatment of diseases caused by the human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) -1. Another major focus is to understand the evolution of the influenza virus to improve therapies and vaccines for seasonal influenza and to better predict pandemic emergence. Clinical research spans diagnosis, natural history and pathogenesis studies through early phase clinical trials to international interventions.

Research groups

Interactions between influenza virus and different host species
Mechanisms and consequence of HTLV-1 integration
Herpes virus manipulation of the infected cell
Epstein Barr virus oncogenesis
Innate responses and therapeutic strategies against Hepatitis viruses
The Circadian Clock and its impact of virus infections
HIV cure

Section leadership

Professor Graham Taylor

Section Head, Virology

Professor Graham Taylor leads the HTLV and the HIV in pregnancy research groups, heads HTLV diagnostics within the Molecular Diagnostic Unit and is a Consultant in the National Centre for Human Retrovirology, the national service for persons infected with HTLVs.

Further information on Professor Taylor