Structural Biology in the RFI
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Structural Biology
Abstract
The RFI is a UK government funded initiative that will bring together Academia and Industry to solve the most pressing problems in the life sciences (Industrial Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Agrichemical). It has a Hub at Harwell and currently ten University partners (Spokes). Its goal is to deliver innovative new physical science that will transform the life sciences. The RFI has five interlinked scientific themes; structural biology, next generation chemistry, imaging with sound and light, mass spectrometry and next generation electron microscopy.
Four broad areas of structural biology are identified where breakthroughs in the underlying methodology would be transformative. These are the extension to larger transient assemblies, the transformation of structure-guided drug discovery, reaching into the fourth (time) dimension and tackling unstructured proteins.
In order to deliver impact in these areas, the RFI will undertake research in new approaches to manipulating cells and macromolecules, sample preparation; novel sample delivery particularly to electron microscopes / tomographs; new hardware for imaging; correlating imaging data from different sources; in developing a new pipelines for fragment-based drug discovery; and in combining imaging modalities to reach into the time domain.
To realise these goals RFI requires a unique partnership between 10 Universities, the UK's central Facilities and most importantly UK Industry.
Four broad areas of structural biology are identified where breakthroughs in the underlying methodology would be transformative. These are the extension to larger transient assemblies, the transformation of structure-guided drug discovery, reaching into the fourth (time) dimension and tackling unstructured proteins.
In order to deliver impact in these areas, the RFI will undertake research in new approaches to manipulating cells and macromolecules, sample preparation; novel sample delivery particularly to electron microscopes / tomographs; new hardware for imaging; correlating imaging data from different sources; in developing a new pipelines for fragment-based drug discovery; and in combining imaging modalities to reach into the time domain.
To realise these goals RFI requires a unique partnership between 10 Universities, the UK's central Facilities and most importantly UK Industry.
Planned Impact
Structural biology is an indispensable tool for understanding how life works in molecular terms and is an important tool in the development of new drugs to improve human health. Structural biology covers a wide range of experimental approaches from super resolution fluorescent microscopy, through electron and X-ray tomography, X-ray ptychography, electron microscopy, X-ray and electron diffraction and scattering, time-resolved X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, NMR and computational modelling. Underpinning all these techniques are advances in computational power and development of sophisticated software; it is essential that we proceed in a joined up-manner. Only by combining these techniques will we be able to analyse life from atoms to cells and to ultimately see that life in motion. Mass spectrometry, correlative imaging and chemical biology are also integral parts of any modern approach to structural biology. In particular structural biology, in partnership with chemistry and computational approaches is central to modern drug discovery.
The UK can fairly claim to have pioneered much of structural biology and today it remains recognised as a UK scientific strength. The 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Richard Henderson and colleagues is the latest in a list of Nobel Prizes awarded to UK scientists in structural biology. This strength has created and sustained a vibrant industrial sector, ranging from large global pharmaceutical companies such as GSK and AZ, to rapidly growing drug companies that include Vernalis, Evotec and Astex to biotechnology firms, for example UCB-Celltech, Heptares and Immunocore that all rely on structural biology. This strength has attracted other multinational companies such as Vertex to base significant efforts in the UK. The Diamond Light Source's DISCO committee provides a focal point for this vibrant Industrial structural biology community. It is recognised that the cross-flow of ideas and people has been enormously beneficial to both Industry and to the wider Harwell Campus, particularly the Diamond Light Source. This proximity to Diamond is key to developing a vision for structural biology within the RFI. In setting out the technology drive for structural biology, we must first survey the key problems facing the field.
The UK can fairly claim to have pioneered much of structural biology and today it remains recognised as a UK scientific strength. The 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Richard Henderson and colleagues is the latest in a list of Nobel Prizes awarded to UK scientists in structural biology. This strength has created and sustained a vibrant industrial sector, ranging from large global pharmaceutical companies such as GSK and AZ, to rapidly growing drug companies that include Vernalis, Evotec and Astex to biotechnology firms, for example UCB-Celltech, Heptares and Immunocore that all rely on structural biology. This strength has attracted other multinational companies such as Vertex to base significant efforts in the UK. The Diamond Light Source's DISCO committee provides a focal point for this vibrant Industrial structural biology community. It is recognised that the cross-flow of ideas and people has been enormously beneficial to both Industry and to the wider Harwell Campus, particularly the Diamond Light Source. This proximity to Diamond is key to developing a vision for structural biology within the RFI. In setting out the technology drive for structural biology, we must first survey the key problems facing the field.
Publications
Zhou D
(2020)
Structural basis for the neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 by an antibody from a convalescent patient.
in Nature structural & molecular biology
Zhang J
(2021)
Catalytic flexibility of rice glycosyltransferase OsUGT91C1 for the production of palatable steviol glycosides.
in Nature communications
Yang Y
(2021)
The molecular basis of regulation of bacterial capsule assembly by Wzc
in Nature Communications
Yang T
(2019)
Hydrophobic recognition allows the glycosyltransferase UGT76G1 to catalyze its substrate in two orientations.
in Nature communications
Xiao G
(2021)
Next generation Glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase (RmlA) inhibitors: An extended SAR study to direct future design.
in Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
Uchanski T
(2021)
Megabodies expand the nanobody toolkit for protein structure determination by single-particle cryo-EM.
in Nature methods
Tang Q
(2021)
Structural Biology of Nanobodies against the Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2.
in Viruses
Song H
(2020)
Enzymatic methylation of the amide bond.
in Current opinion in structural biology
Song H
(2021)
Engineering of a Peptide a-N-Methyltransferase to Methylate Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids
in Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Description | The funding was part of the establishment grant of the Franklin. The funding appointed the skeleton staff of PPUK. Our goal was to establish a leading structural biology laboratory. The goals of the laboratory were to develop high throughput expression technologies, high throughput methods of preparing samples for grids, high throughput production of binders and driving the next generation of structural biology technology. As part of work on binders, we discovered agents that can cure covid19 in animals. These molecules can be administered topically or by injection. They are the most potent agents ever identified. They lay the foundation for treatment of covid19 and other respiratory viruses. Working with the international company ThermoFischer, we have delivered a new workflow for cryo electron tomography, this is the ability to determine the structure of proteins inside the living (but frozen) cell. Finally we showed that the covid19 virus binds to a sugar on the surface of human cells, common in the lung. This could explain how the virus moved from bats to humans. |
Exploitation Route | The funding has helped lay the ground work for the Franklin as structural biology has been our first and the most successful program.. We had identified nanobodies as binding tool where we would make transformational improvements. Our work on nanobodies against covid19 has been enormously influential. We showed that lab based methods were capable of producing nm affinity reagents. This is significant because it does not involve animal work. The power that the Franklin brought was our ability to apply new methods to in vitro maturation of affinity and the use of physical science to direct engineering. The agents published in Nat Str Mol Bio is within the top 0.1% of papers of all time measured by impact. We then took this forward identifying the most potent neutralising agent known against covid19. This agent showed potency in animals where it halted the disease. We published an influential analysis of the physical chemistry behind the shifts in affinity. This has inspired others, with regents and know how transferred to labs across the world. The next area was to attract nearly £30M in grant funding for electron tomography. We are hosting collaborators from across the UK and our work is establishing new ways of working. The technology will transfer to the UK national facility at Diamond. The ChanZuckerberg foundation have essentially followed our ideas to create a new centre (but with over double the investment). Finally we would highlight our work on sialic binding by SARS-CoV-2, this led us to propose a mechanistic explanation of how the virus may have jumped species. This has inspired others, since the result suggests that humans with different genetic backgrounds might be more susceptible to disease. Our work also devised a new method for detecting binding of compounds to proteins by NMR. The new pulse sequence and mathematical formalism have removed the limitations that existed. The new method is being implemented across the NMR academic and industrial community. |
Sectors | Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-53369103 |
Description | I would highlight three large impacts from Structural Biology. We have filed multiple patents on nanobodies as these work effectively against infection in animal models. The agents have been shown to be potent against variants of the disease. We have reached an agreement on the commercialisation of the work with an American company. The final terms are expected to be signed in March 2023. The financial details are confidential until final signature. In short the company intends to take the molecules to approval for treatment of covid19 infection (pharmacokinetics, safety, formulations and clinical trials). The second impact has been the engagement with Industry on cryo electron tomography. We have an open collaboration with Vertex and strong interest from two other Biotech companies. This work is transferring skills and technology to UK industry in the cutting edge of structural biology that will revolutionise the search for new drugs. As part of this work, we are transferring technology to Diamond Light Source, to ensure impact across the UK. The partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific has been world leading and raised our profile. Working with SPT lab tech we developed the device to automatically prepare grids for EM. The resulting machine has been the transferred (as per our plans) to Diamond user program. The technology is now used routinely by Industry and academia in the UK (and beyond). |
First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
Sector | Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | Challenge reviewer and contributor to Nurse RDI |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | The RDI review will shape government policy. |
URL | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1140... |
Description | Electrifying Life Science |
Amount | £25,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 220526/Z/20/Z |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2019 |
End | 04/2025 |
Description | Nanobody Discovery Hub |
Amount | £936,697 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/V018523/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2021 |
End | 10/2024 |
Description | Preparing for disease X, the next pathogenic respiratory viruses: the development of cross-reactive nanobodies for diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of coronavirus infections. |
Amount | £928,849 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 223733/Z/21/Z |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2022 |
End | 10/2025 |
Description | Translating potent SARS-Cov-2 neutralising nanobodies from the lab to the clinic |
Amount | £200,393 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/V03958X/1 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2020 |
End | 05/2021 |
Title | Genes deposited |
Description | The genes were deposited in ADDGENE |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Allows users to access the genes |
URL | https://www.addgene.org |
Title | PDB coordinates and data |
Description | This both experimental data and the model of structures. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The structures have allowed others to build models of the interaction of nanobodies with SARS_CoV_2 spike protein |
URL | https://www.rcsb.org/search?request=%7B%22query%22%3A%7B%22parameters%22%3A%7B%22value%22%3A%22naism... |
Description | Collaboration in structural biology |
Organisation | Vertex Pharmaceuticals |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We are developing new technology in capturing proteins onto grids for single particle EM. We are also developing technology for rapid grid preparation. |
Collaborator Contribution | vertex have contributed funding to the Franklin and their scientists visit the lab for discussion. They have been trained on the new technology that we have developed. |
Impact | The collaboration has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | SINGLE DOMAIN ANTIBODIES BINDING TO SARS-COV-2 SPIKE PROTEIN |
Description | The present invention relates to improved single domain antibodies that target SARS-CoV-2, the use of said single domain antibodies in treating and/or preventing coronavirus, as well as the use of said single domain antibodies in the detection and diagnosis of coronavirus using various methods, assays and kits. |
IP Reference | WO2021224606 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2021 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | In discussion for licence |
Title | SINGLE DOMAIN ANTIBODIES THAT TARGET SARS-COV-2 |
Description | The present invention relates to improved single domain antibodies that target SARS-CoV-2, multivalent polypeptides and fusion proteins comprising the single domain antibodies. The present invention also provides coronavirus binding molecules that bind two different epitopes on the receptor binding domain of a spike protein of a coronavirus. The coronavirus binding molecules are based on joining two antigen binding molecules together via a linker. The present invention provides the use of said single domain antibodies, multivalent polypeptides, fusion proteins and coronavirus binding molecules in treating and/or preventing coronavirus, as well as the use of said single domain antibodies, multivalent polypeptides, fusion proteins and coronavirus binding molecules in the detection and diagnosis of coronavirus using various methods, assays and kits. |
IP Reference | WO2022053839 |
Protection | Patent / Patent application |
Year Protection Granted | 2022 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | The patent estate is in the final stages of agreement to licence. |
Title | rosalindfranklininstitute/guanaco: |
Description | No description provided. |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | Shaping tomography practice |
URL | https://zenodo.org/record/5185365 |
Title | rosalindfranklininstitute/parakeet: |
Description | Phantom generator |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | Imported into major software packages |
URL | https://zenodo.org/record/6493567 |
Description | Interviews with media |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | During the covid19 pandemic I helped to explain to journalists and the general public aspects of the pandemic in lay terms. I appeared in many national and some International newspapers. I gave live interviews on TV and radio. Topic Date How many times quote was used Examples of outlets Expert reaction to the publishing of the evidence and advice from SAGE on COVID-19 March 20, 2020 0 Expert reaction to today's (Tues 24 March) new UK COVID-19 case numbers and mortalities March 24 2020 9 Mirror The Times Daily Mail / MailOnline MailOnline Yahoo!News (x2) Wired Medscape BMJ Expert reaction to unpublished paper modelling what percentage of the UK population may have been exposed to COVID-19 March 25 2020 Expert reaction to death in the UK of a 47-year-old who tested positive for COVID-19, who did not have underlying health conditions March 26 2020 Expert reaction to latest numbers of deaths from COVID-19 March 26 2020 Expert reaction to latest DH figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK March 27 2020 Expert reaction to updated numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths March 29 2020 2 BioWorld Daily Mail Expert reaction to two structural papers on COVID-19 March 30 2020 Expert reaction to latest DH figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK March 31 2020 Expert reaction to latest case and death figures for COVID-19 in the UK April 2 2020 3 Daily Mail Express METRO Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths April 3 2020 Expert reaction to latest UK numbers for COVID cases and deaths, including deaths reaching 5000 April 6 2020 3 Daily Mail The Times (x2) Expert reaction to today's COVID-19 figures for number of cases and deaths in the UK April 7 2020 Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK April 8 2020 4 Daily Mail The Guardian Mirror The Times Expert comments about the current lockdown measures April 9 2020 Expert reaction to latest numbers of deaths in England, published by NHS England April 9 2020 Expert reaction to today's COVID-19 figures on cases and reported deaths April 10 2020 Expert reaction to today's COVID-19 figures on cases and reported deaths April 11 2020 7 Daily Mail Express iNews Mirror The Sun The Telegraph Yahoo!News Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK April 12 2020 Expert reaction to the latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK April 13 2020 Expert reaction to the second update of the IHME models for COVID-19 in the UK April 14 2020 Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in UK April 15 2020 16 Daily Mail Express The Independent (x2) Medscape iNews Irish Times Reuters Scottish Sun The Sun (x2) The Telegraph The Times The Washington Post Yahoo!News (x2) Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK April 16 2020 Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK April 17 2020 Expert reaction to the latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK April 17 2020 Expert reaction to today's COVID-19 deaths and cases in the UK / England April 19 2020 Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 deaths in England April 20 2020 Expert reaction to latest COVID-19 figures April 23 2020 3 Daily Mail The Independent Yahoo!News Expert reaction to reports in the media about SAGE April 25 2020 6 BBC News (x2) The Guardian Manchester Evening News The Telegraph Yahoo!News Expert reaction to WHO clarification of their statement on 26/04/20 about immunity passports April 26 2020 Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK April 26 2020 Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 deaths in England April 27 2020 5 Financial Times Mirror National Yahoo!News (x20 Expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 deaths in England April 28 2020 Expert reaction to latest ONS weekly COVID-19 stats May 5 2020 3 The Guardian iNews Medscape Expert reaction to Prof Neil Ferguson resigning from SAGE May 6 2020 2 Medscape BMJ Expert reaction to latest figures on deaths in hospitals in England involving COVID-19 May 7 2020 Expert reaction to latest figures on deaths in hospitals in England involving COVID-19 May 11 2020 1 Medscape Expert reaction to first data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey pilot, estimating numbers of people currently testing positive (swab 'have-you-got-it' test) Expert reaction to government launch of the NHS Test and Trace service May 27 2020 0 Expert reaction to comments by Prof Neil Ferguson at House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee June 10 2020 1 Yahoo!News Expert reaction to first statistics from the NHS Test and Trace Service for England from 28 May to 3 June 2020 June 11 - 13 2020 1 Express Expert reaction to updated statistics from the NHS Test and Trace service in England June 18 - 22nd 3 MailOnline Medscape The Times Expert reaction to latest estimates from the government of R and growth rates nationally and regionally July 10 2020 Can't open doc Expert reaction to daily recorded COVID-19 deaths, Monday 13th July July 13 2020 0 Expert reaction to latest statistics from NHS Test and Trace in England July 23 2020 0 Expert comments on fears of a second wave of COVID-19 July 29 2020 9 Inews The Guardian Yahoo!News (x2) Mirror Express Daily Mail Telegraph Sky News Expert reaction to latest weekly NHS Test & Trace statistics (30 July - 5 August) August 13 2020 0 Expert reaction to Office for National Statistics COVID-19 Infection Survey: characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19 in England August 18 2020 2 BMJ Daily Mail Expert reaction to comments by Matt Hancock on BBC Breakfast that the UK is not considering mask use in offices as COVID transmission in the workplace is low August 19 2020 1 iNews Expert reaction to latest NHS Test and Trace figures for England for the week of 20th to 26th August September 3 2020 3 The Independent The Mirror The Telegraph Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey and the latest R number and growth rate September 4 2020 0 Expert reaction to latest NHS Test and Trace figures September 10 2020 3 The Telegraph Daily Mail The Guardian Expert reaction to ONS Infection survey data September 11 2020 1 BBC News Expert comment about COVID-19 testing issues September 15 2020 1 The Sun Expert reaction to latest Test & Trace figures, week 3 - 9 September September 17 2020 1 New Scientist Expert reaction to latest daily COVID-19 case numbers September 22 2020 0 Expert reaction to latest daily cases of COVID September 23 2020 1 ITV News Expert reaction to the latest Test & Trace figures, for the week 10 - 16 September September 24 2020 3 New Scientist The Sun Mail Online Expert reaction to 6,634 new cases reported today September 24 2020 7 PA (x2) ITV The Independent Express Financial Times Evening Standard Expert reaction to latest COVID-19 cases and deaths September 29 2020 3 The Sun PA BBC News Expert reaction to the latest Test & Trace figures for the week 17-23 September October 1 2020 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey October 2 2020 2 Daily Mirror The Guardian Expert reaction to Barrington Declaration, an open letter arguing against lockdown policies and for 'Focused Protection' October 6 2020 5 Huffington Post Yahoo!News Daily Mail PA The Guardian Expert reaction to latest Test & Trace figures for the week 24-30 September October 8 2020 2 METRO The Independent Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey October 9 2020 4 Yahoo!News The Telegraph ITV Financial Times Expert reaction to SAGE documents published last night summarising the effectiveness and harms of different non-pharmaceutical interventions October 13 2020 3 Medscape BBC News Huffington Post Expert reaction to latest Test and Trace Figures for England for the week 1 to 7 October October 15 2020 3 Reuters The Independent (x2) Expert reaction latest Test and Trace Figures for England for the week 8-14 October October 23 2020 6 ITV news New Scientist BBC News FT The Guardian The Independent Expert reaction to the ONS Infection Survey, UK: 23 October 2020 October 23 2020 11 ITV News The Telegraph Financial Times METRO The Sun (x2) iNews Daily Mail Express (x2) PA Expert reaction to SAGE document looking at a segmentation strategy October 23 2020 3 Sky News Yahoo!news The Telegraph Expert reaction to latest COVID-19: nowcast and forecast, by the University of Cambridge MRC Biostatistics Unit October 29 2020 2 Financial Times MailOnline Expert reaction to latest Test and Trace Figures for England for the week 15 - 21 October October 29 2020 1 Daily Mail Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey October 30 2020 4 The Sun Reuters ITV News The Telegraph Expert reaction to Prime Minister's announcement of a new national lockdown for England to come in to place from next Thursday until 2nd December October 31 2020 5 PA iNews Daily Mail (x2) The Independent Expert comment about one of the graphs shown at the Downing Street press conference on Saturday, modelling a reasonable worst case planning scenario November 2 2020 6 Daily Mail (x4) PA The Sun Expert reaction to latest COVID-19 nowcast and forecast data from the MRC Biostatistics Unit at University of Cambridge November 3 2020 1 Daily Mail Expert reaction to latest Test & Trace figures for the week 22-28 October November 5 2020 3 Daily Mail (x3) Expert reaction to the ONS infection survey for the UK November 6 2020 5 Daily Mail (x2) METRO PA The Sun Expert reaction to the latest ONS Infection Survey and government R value and growth rates November 13 2020 Expert reaction to paper using an RCT to assess mask use as a public health measure to help control SARS-CoV-2 spread (DANMASK-19) November 19 2020 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey November 20 2020 7 Wales Online Yahoo!News The Sun iNews The Sun PA The Times Expert reaction to latest ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey data November 26 2020 2 Daily Mail (x2) Expert reaction to latest ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey data December 4 2020 3 Financial Times The Telegraph The Independent Expert reaction to editorial from the BMJ and Health Service Journal (HSJ) entitled 'Covid 19: Christmas relaxation will overwhelm services' December 15 2021 4 Daily Mail (x2) MailOnline Huffington Post Expert reaction to latest COVID-19 Nowcast and Forecast, by the MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge December 21 2020 Expert reaction to the new Imperial pre-print on the new SARS-CoV-2 variant January 1 2021 3 The Mirror (x2) BBC News Expert reaction to the South African variant January 4 2021 7 Vice News CNN Medscape Yahoo!News The Guardian The Telegraph (x2) Expert reaction to latest R number and growth rates, published by the government January 15 2021 3 The Independent The Sun iNews Expert reaction to preprint reporting that the South African SARS-CoV-2 variant 501Y.V2 escapes neutralisation by COVID-19 donor plasma January 20 2021 8 The Guardian Sky News METRO iNews The Sun MailOnline PA The Telegraph Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey and the latest R number and growth rates published by the government January 22 2021 0 Expert reaction to preprint from Moderna about neutralising activity of their vaccine against new variants and announcement of plans to trial a variant booster jab targeting the South African (B.1.351) variant January 25 2021 0 Expert reaction to the UK having over 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 within 28 days of positive test January 26 2021 0 Expert reaction to reports that guidance from STIKO in Germany has recommended the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine only for under 65s January 28 2021 2 CNN The Telegraph Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey January 29 2021 2 PA The Telegraph Expert reaction to the latest COVID-19 Nowcast and Forecast, by the MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge January 29 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey February 5 2021 3 Financial Times The Independent The Telegraph Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey February 12 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey and the latest R number and growth rates published by the government March 19 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey March 26 2021 12 New Scientist PA (x5) iNews MailOnline (x2) Sky News Evening Standard Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey April 9 2021 1 Daily Mail Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey April 16 2021 3 Medscape New Scientist Express Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey April 23 2021 7 MailOnline (x3) Express Medscape The Telegraph The Times Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey April 30 2021 2 Yahoo!News Express Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey May 28 2021 0 Expert reaction to preprints giving data on mass testing at the University of Cambridge, including transmission, genomic surveillance and participation June 1 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey June 4 2021 2 The Sun MailOnline Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey June 11 2021 0 Expert reaction to preprint from round 12 of the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 prevalence in England June 17 2021 3 The Telegraph Guardian Politics Live Medscape Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS infection survey June 25 2021 1 The Telegraph Expert reaction to latest daily case figures as reported on the gov.uk dashboard June 28 2021 2 Yahoo!News Sky news Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS infection survey July 2 2021 9 Yahoo!News MailOnine (x2) The Sun (x2) PA The Observer BBC News The Times Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS infection survey July 9 2021 0 Expert reaction to the health secretary announcing that the final stage of lockdown easing will go ahead on 19 July July 12 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest COVID-19 case numbers as reported on the gov.ukdashboard July 14 2021 5 Evening Standard MailOnline (x3) The Sun Expert reaction to preprint giving the final results from round 6 of the REACT-2 study on COVID-19 antibody prevalence in England July 15 2021 1 PA Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey July 16 2021 9 The Scotsman (x2) PA iNews The Sun Reuters Sky News The National Th Express Expert reaction to 51,870 cases reported today on the government dashboard July 16 2021 4 AP (x2) Sky News The Sun Expert reaction to falling COVID-19 case numbers as reported on the gov.ukdashboard July 26 2021 13 Irish Times The Globe and Mail New Statesman Express iNews MailOnline Channel 4 New Scientist Bloomberg PA Financial Times Telegraph (x20 Expert reaction to latest daily case numbers July 28 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey July 30 2021 3 The Scotsman The Times MailOnline Expert reaction to latest Variant Technical Briefing published by PHE August 6 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey August 13 2021 10 Medscape Herald Scotland (x2) MailOnline The Sun Sky News ITV PA (x3) The Telegraph Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey August 20 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey September 10 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: 17th September 2021 September 17 2021 2 The Times Daily Mail Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey September 24 2021 3 The Times MailOnline The Sun Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey October 15 2021 2 Bloomberg iNews Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey October 22 2021 4 The Observer MailOnline (x2) The Sun Expert reaction to latest batch of SAGE minutes published, 'S181 SAGE 96 minutes' October 22 2021 0 Expert reaction to Public Accounts Committee report on Test & Trace October 27 2021 2 Research Professional News Medscape Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey October 29 2021 4 The Observer iNews MailOnline (x2) Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey November 5 2021 5 Sky news MailOnline (x2) Mail On Sunday The Sun Expert reaction to six cases of the Omicron variant being detected in Scotland November 29 2021 3 ITV The Telegraph The Scotsman Expert reaction to news reports on the possible introduction of further COVID-19 measures for England December 8 2021 0 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey December 10 2021 1 The Sun Expert reaction to current UK situation with the Omicron variant December 16 2021 3 The Telegraph The Independent The Sun Expert reaction to modelling of booster effectiveness against omicron by Imperial College London December 17 2021 3 The Telegraph The Sun (x2) Expert reaction to preprint on the severity of the omicron variant and vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection in Scotland, from the EAVE II study December 22 2021 4 The Times iNews The Sun CNN Expert reaction to preprint from Imperial College looking at hospitalisation risk for Omicron cases in England December 22 2021 2 MailOnline CNN 2022 Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey January 2 2022 1 MailOnline Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey January 21 2022 2 The Telegraph, MailOnline Expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
URL | https://www.sciencemediacentre.org |
Description | Media work for science media centre |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I have supplied expert commentary on the pandemic and on science policy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021,2022,2023 |
URL | https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/?s=naismith&cat= |