To Immunity and Beyond

Oxford University · ox.ac.uk

In a series produced by the Oxford Immunology Network, Professor Paul Klenerman talks with colleagues about their recent ground-breaking publications, exploring the original scientific goals, challenges they encountered along the way, and future ambitions in the field. This series will be of interest to anyone studying or working in immunology, medical sciences, biology or related fields. NB: To Immunity and Beyond is for educational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice.

16 episodes

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English language

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Episodes 16

CellTypeAI: Automated cell identification for scRNA-seq using local generative-AI
2mo ago · 21:14
A conversation with Dr Rufus Daw about CellTypeAI. As single-cell datasets grow from thousands to hundreds of thousands of cells, accurate cell annotation is becoming a major bottleneck in biomedical research. In this episode, bioinformatician Rufus Daw discusses CellTypeAI, a new locally deployable AI framework that uses large language models to automate cell-type identification from single-cell RNA sequencing data. We explore how privacy-preserving AI tools, retrieval-augmented generation, and ensemble prompting can match or exceed conventional annotation approaches while keeping sensitive r
The MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Exposome Immunology
4mo ago · 25:02
A conversation with Professor Sheena Cruickshank about the new MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Exposome Immunology. To mark World Immunology Day, we’re joined by Professor Sheena Cruickshank from the MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Exposome Immunology. Sheena and Paul discuss how environmental and lifestyle exposures, from pollution to microbiome and socioeconomic factors, shape immune responses across the life course and contribute to disease. They explore the Centre’s integrated three-pillar approach, combining large-scale population data, mechanistic studies, and human experimenta
Unravelling T-Cell Recognition – Insights from Immunology and AI
6mo ago · 41:38
A conversation with Professor Hashem Koohy about possibilities for use of AI in driving forward T cell research. In the first To Immunity and Beyond episode of 2026, Paul Klenerman speaks with systems biologist Hashem Koohy, whose career journey from pure mathematics to immunology offers a fresh lens on T cell research. Hashem describes how advances in genomics, data science, and AI led him to focus on one of immunology’s central challenges: understanding how T cells recognise their targets, a process critical to infections, cancer, and immunotherapy. The discussion explores why predicting T c
HIV in 2025 - the latest science, global burden and future outlook
6mo ago · 37:39
A conversation with Professor Andrew McMichael, Professor Tomáš Hanke, and Dr Fon Acho about current priorities in HIV treatment and prevention. In this episode of To Immunity and Beyond, we talk to HIV immunologist Professor Andrew McMichael, vaccinologist Professor Tomáš Hanke, and Dr Fon Acho, a Cameroonian doctor and Oxford MSc immunology graduate. We discuss the global burden of HIV, and the possibilities offered by current and future vaccines and treatments. We also explore challenges in research funding and the importance of community engagement in intervention uptake. Further reading:
Sustained aviremia despite anti-retroviral therapy non-adherence in male children after in utero HIV transmission
9mo ago · 37:25
A conversation with Philip Goulder about the recent article ‘Sustained aviremia despite anti-retroviral therapy non-adherence in male children after in utero HIV transmission’. In this episode of To Immunity and Beyond, we discuss a prospective study of 284 children from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, who were treated very early with antiretroviral therapy (ART) after mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Unexpectedly, female fetuses were more susceptible to in utero transmission, but of 5 children identified who maintained undetectable levels of HIV despite unscheduled ART interruption, all were
Regulatory T cell therapy is associated with distinct immune regulatory lymphocytic infiltrates in kidney transplants
10mo ago · 25:34
A conversation with Fadi Issa about his recent article on regulatory T cell therapy in kidney transplants. In this episode of To Immunity and Beyond, Paul Klenerman talks with surgeon and immunologist Fadi Issa about pioneering regulatory T-cell therapy in kidney transplantation. Fadi shares his journey from reconstructive surgery to immune tolerance research and discusses the groundbreaking, first-in-human ONE Trial of T reg therapy in kidney transplantation. The trial showed promising graft survival rates, and found B cell-enriched focal lymphocytic infiltrates in the T reg treated group. Pa
Ebola virus persistence: implications for human-to-human transmission and new outbreaks
11mo ago · 22:08
A conversation with Miles Carroll and Oliver Meek about their recent Ebola virus persistence review article. In this episode, Oliver Meek and Miles Carroll discuss their recent review on Ebola virus (EBOV) persistence, set against the broader context of the West African epidemic. They share insights into how viral reservoirs form in immune-privileged sites and the immunological signatures linked to resistance. The conversation explores the implications of these findings on sexual transmission of EBOV, therapeutic development and strategies to prevent viral persistence and recrudescence. They a
‘Dangerous Matter’: A New Opera on Vaccine Science, Memory, and Innovation
1y ago · 32:05
A conversation with Zakiya Leeming and Rachel Hindmarsh about the Thanks for the Memories project and a new opera. The Thanks for the Memories public engagement programme is about to premier a new opera, ‘Dangerous Matter’, at the Royal Northern College of Music on June 24th, 2025, inspired both by the story of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and by research into immune memory. On this episode we talk to composer Zakiya Leeming and facilitator Rachel Hindmarsh about how they developed the opera, and find out about their wider creative programme of science and music engagement with secondary school
CMV serostatus is associated with improved survival and delayed toxicity onset following anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade
1y ago · 34:58
A conversation with Ben Fairfax about the recent article: CMV serostatus is associated with improved survival and delayed toxicity onset following anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade. This episode discusses Milotay, G., Little, M., Watson, R.A. et al. CMV serostatus is associated with improved survival and delayed toxicity onset following anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade. Nat Med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03647-1.
Self-interactive learning: Fusion and evolution of multi-scale histomorphology features for molecular traits prediction in computational pathology
1y ago · 24:10
A conversation with Yang Hu about his recent article: Self-interactive learning: Fusion and evolution of multi-scale histomorphology features for molecular traits prediction in computational pathology. This episode discusses Yang Hu et al, ‘Self-interactive learning: Fusion and evolution of multi-scale histomorphology features for molecular traits prediction in computational pathology’, Medical Image Analysis, 101 (2025) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.media.2024.103437 The relevant study was supported by the PathLAKE Centre of Excellence for digital pathology and artificial intelligence which is fu
Research with Human Tissue Samples on the International Space Station, with Dr Ghada Alsaleh
1y ago · 20:11
Research on human cells in space may uncover the hidden mechanisms behind ageing. Exciting developments are underway at the Space Innovation Lab at the University of Oxford! The launch of human tissue samples to the International Space Station marks a bold and forward-looking step in scientific discovery—one aimed at unravelling the mysteries of ageing. This pioneering research holds tremendous potential for unlocking transformative insights into musculoskeletal health and regenerative medicine, paving the way for future breakthroughs that could benefit millions on Earth.
Analysis of the diverse antigenic landscape of the malaria protein RH5 identifies a potent vaccine-induced human public antibody clonotype
1y ago · 27:37
Dr Kirsty McHugh and Dr Carolyn Nielsen discuss a recent Cell article: ‘Analysis of the diverse antigenic landscape of the malaria protein RH5 identifies a potent vaccine-induced human public antibody clonotype’. This episode discusses the following article: Barrett, J et al., Analysis of the diverse antigenic landscape of the malaria protein RH5 identifies a potent vaccine-induced human public antibody clonotype. Cell 187 (5 September 2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.015 Article funding and acknowledgments: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009286742400655X?via%3
Starvation and infection: The role of sickness-associated anorexia in metabolic adaptation during acute infection
1y ago · 26:04
Dr. Barbara Kronsteiner-Dobramysl discusses a recent Metabolism article: ‘Starvation and infection: The role of sickness-associated anorexia in metabolic adaptation during acute infection’. This episode discusses the following article: Jindal, J, Hill, J, Harte, J, Dunachie, S, and Barbara Kronsteiner, B, Starvation and infection: The role of sickness-associated anorexia in metabolic adaptation during acute infection. Metabolism 161 (December 2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2024.156035 Barbara would like to specifically thank Ms. Jessy Jindal for the initial idea for this review. As p
Optimising CAR-T cell sensitivity by engineering matched extracellular sizes between CAR/antigen and CD2/CD58 adhesion complexes
1y ago · 28:24
Professor Omer Dusk discusses a bioRxiv pre-print: ‘Optimising CAR-T cell sensitivity by engineering matched extracellular sizes between CAR/antigen and CD2/CD58 adhesion complexes’. This episode discusses the following pre-print: 'Optimising CAR-T cell sensitivity by engineering matched extracellular sizes between CAR/antigen and CD2/CD58 adhesion complexes.' Burton J, Siller-Farfan JA, Andre V, Jenkins J, Barton MI, Bustamante Eguiguren S, Cabezas-Caballero J, Davis SJ, Weikl TR, van der Merwe PA, Dushek O (bioRxiv pre-print (2025), under review). https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025
Apoptosis-mediated ADAM10 activation removes a mucin barrier promoting T cell efferocytosis
1y ago · 35:24
Professor Quentin Sattentau discusses research published in 'Nature Communications' on the role of enzyme ADAM10 in mediating clearance of apoptotic T cells by macrophages. This episode discusses Drexhage, LZ, Zhang, S, Dupont, M, et al. Apoptosis-mediated ADAM10 activation removes a mucin barrier promoting T cell efferocytosis. Nat Commun. 15(1), 541 (2024). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44619-8 Article funding and acknowledgments: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44619-8#Ack1 Professor Sattentau thanks Linnea Drexhage and Shengpan Zhang (joint first authors) who worked really h
Elevated genetic risk for multiple sclerosis emerged in steppe pastoralist populations
1y ago · 35:24
Professor Astrid Iversen discusses research published in Nature, using historic genome data to investigate the emergence of genetic risk for multiple sclerosis in Northern Europe. This episode discusses Barrie, W, Yang, Y, Irving-Pease, EK, et al. Elevated genetic risk for multiple sclerosis emerged in steppe pastoralist populations. Nature 625, 321–328 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06618-z Article funding and acknowledgments: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06618-z#Ack1 This study was international and multidisciplinary in nature, and Professor Iversen is grateful for

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To Immunity and Beyond

Episodes 16

CellTypeAI: Automated cell identification for scRNA-seq using local generative-AI

The MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Exposome Immunology

Unravelling T-Cell Recognition – Insights from Immunology and AI

HIV in 2025 - the latest science, global burden and future outlook

Sustained aviremia despite anti-retroviral therapy non-adherence in male children after in utero HIV transmission

Regulatory T cell therapy is associated with distinct immune regulatory lymphocytic infiltrates in kidney transplants

Ebola virus persistence: implications for human-to-human transmission and new outbreaks

‘Dangerous Matter’: A New Opera on Vaccine Science, Memory, and Innovation

CMV serostatus is associated with improved survival and delayed toxicity onset following anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade

Self-interactive learning: Fusion and evolution of multi-scale histomorphology features for molecular traits prediction in computational pathology

Research with Human Tissue Samples on the International Space Station, with Dr Ghada Alsaleh

Analysis of the diverse antigenic landscape of the malaria protein RH5 identifies a potent vaccine-induced human public antibody clonotype

Starvation and infection: The role of sickness-associated anorexia in metabolic adaptation during acute infection

Optimising CAR-T cell sensitivity by engineering matched extracellular sizes between CAR/antigen and CD2/CD58 adhesion complexes

Apoptosis-mediated ADAM10 activation removes a mucin barrier promoting T cell efferocytosis

Elevated genetic risk for multiple sclerosis emerged in steppe pastoralist populations

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Episodes 16

CellTypeAI: Automated cell identification for scRNA-seq using local generative-AI

The MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Exposome Immunology

Unravelling T-Cell Recognition – Insights from Immunology and AI

HIV in 2025 - the latest science, global burden and future outlook

Sustained aviremia despite anti-retroviral therapy non-adherence in male children after in utero HIV transmission

Regulatory T cell therapy is associated with distinct immune regulatory lymphocytic infiltrates in kidney transplants

Ebola virus persistence: implications for human-to-human transmission and new outbreaks

‘Dangerous Matter’: A New Opera on Vaccine Science, Memory, and Innovation

CMV serostatus is associated with improved survival and delayed toxicity onset following anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade

Self-interactive learning: Fusion and evolution of multi-scale histomorphology features for molecular traits prediction in computational pathology

Research with Human Tissue Samples on the International Space Station, with Dr Ghada Alsaleh

Analysis of the diverse antigenic landscape of the malaria protein RH5 identifies a potent vaccine-induced human public antibody clonotype

Starvation and infection: The role of sickness-associated anorexia in metabolic adaptation during acute infection

Optimising CAR-T cell sensitivity by engineering matched extracellular sizes between CAR/antigen and CD2/CD58 adhesion complexes

Apoptosis-mediated ADAM10 activation removes a mucin barrier promoting T cell efferocytosis

Elevated genetic risk for multiple sclerosis emerged in steppe pastoralist populations