Virology
Understanding viruses in the laboratory to tackle them in the clinic
Study Virology at Imperial
Interested in studying Virology at Imperial College London? Our MSc Molecular Biology and Pathology of Viruses programme is still open for applications for 2020/21 entry.
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 and centre leadership
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.
Research leads
Professor Wendy Barclay
Professor Wendy Barclay
Action Medical Research Chair in Virology
Dr Marta Boffito
Dr Marta Boffito
Reader in HIV Medicine
Professor Peter Cherepanov
Professor Peter Cherepanov
Professor of Molecular Virology
Professor Graham Cooke
Professor Graham Cooke
Professor of Infectious Diseases
Dr Rachel Edgar
Dr Rachel Edgar
Research Fellow
Professor Paul Farrell
Professor Paul Farrell
Professor of Tumour Virology
Professor Sarah Fidler
Professor Sarah Fidler
Professor of HIV and Communicable Diseases
Professor Georgios Kassiotis
Professor Georgios Kassiotis
Professor of Retrovirology
Dr Goedele Maertens
Dr Goedele Maertens
Senior Lecturer
Professor Myra McClure
Professor Myra McClure
Professor of Retrovirology
Professor Michael McGarvey
Professor Michael McGarvey
Reader in Molecular Virology
Professor Peter O'Hare
Professor Peter O'Hare
Chair in Virology
Professor Paivi Ojala
Professor Paivi Ojala
Chair in Viral Tumorigenesis
Professor David Rueda
Professor David Rueda
Chair of Molecular and Cellular Medicine
Dr Vanessa Sancho-Shimizu
Dr Vanessa Sancho-Shimizu
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Mike Skinner
Dr Mike Skinner
Reader in Virology
Professor Graham Taylor
Professor Graham Taylor
Professor of Human Retrovirology
Professor Michael Way
Professor Michael Way
Professor of Virology
Professor Jonathan Weber
Professor Jonathan Weber
Jefferiss Professor of Communicable Diseases and GU Medicine
Dr Rob White
Dr Rob White
Non-Clinical Lecturer in Virology
Professor Alan Winston
Professor Alan Winston
Professor of Genito-Urinary Medicine
Professor Xiao-Ning Xu
Professor Xiao-Ning Xu
Chair in Human Immunology
Professor Jonathan Stoye
Professor Jonathan Stoye
Professor of Endogenous Retroviruses