The latest updates on our research and how it is improving people’s lives.
NDORMS student Grace Frost recognised as top student at European Space Agency summer school
24 September 2025
Grace Frost, a student in the Alsaleh Group, attended the prestigious summer school led by the European Space Agency (ESA) where she was awarded second place for her research proposal.
Global study shows drug shortages affect patient care to varying degrees
23 September 2025
In the largest study of its kind, new global research has revealed that drug shortages can become a systemic issue affecting the health of millions of patients and impacting healthcare systems in Europe and North America.
Wellcome Accelerator Award for Sara Khalid
17 September 2025
Congratulations to Associate Professor Sara Khalid on her successful Wellcome Accelerator Award.
First myeloma patient joins NDORMS trial of radioactive bone scan
11 September 2025
In a world first researchers at NDORMS are testing a new technology that could enable clinicians to better diagnose and treat myeloma.
Trial shows that suture repair fails to improve digital nerve injury outcomes
11 September 2025
The first ever trial of microsurgical suture repair vs nerve alignment for digital nerve injuries suggests suture repair does not improve outcomes.
Research finds therapeutic potential for PEPITEM in osteoporosis
4 September 2025
Researchers have identified bioactive peptide sequences in PEPITEM molecules, and demonstrated the biological activity of the full PEPITEM molecule in counteracting key changes caused by osteoporosis.
Surgery to treat chronic sinus disease more effective than antibiotics
29 August 2025
Sinus surgery is more effective than antibiotics at treating chronic rhinosinusitis, according to a major clinical trial led by UCL, coordinated by the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit (OCTRU) and Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU) at NDORMS, in collaboration with researchers across the UK.
NDORMS researchers honoured in the Recognition of Distinction Scheme 2025
27 August 2025
Jelena Bezbradica Mirkovic, Audrey Gerard, Karthik Ramasamy and Sarah Snelling have been awarded the title of ‘Full Professor’ in the University of Oxford’s 2025 Recognition of Distinction exercise.
Alabama medical students join NDORMS for a global health placement
7 August 2025
For the past couple of months, NDORMS had the pleasure of hosting four medical students from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA as part of their Distinction in Global Health programme. The initiative, available to first year medical (MD) students, offers a unique opportunity to gain international experience in global health through clinical or research placements around the world.
Malaria parasite found to hijack human immune system
31 July 2025
Oxford researchers have unveiled new insights into the ongoing evolutionary battle between humans and the malaria parasite. The international team has discovered how the malaria parasite evades the immune system—and how the human body fights back.
NDORMS recognised as a European Centre of Excellence
29 July 2025
NDORMS has been awarded the designation of a EULAR Centre of Excellence for a third consecutive term. This prestigious award is a recognition of the department’s contribution to advancing the science of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
New £50m MRC Centre to study how environmental exposures cause chronic inflammatory diseases
16 July 2025
A new Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) will investigate how the environment interacts with our immune system to trigger chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Tribute to Lord Tebbit
15 July 2025
It is with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Lord Tebbit. As Chairman of the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Charity for 14 years, he was instrumental in helping raise millions to support both treatment and research into musculoskeletal conditions.
Ethnic disparities persist in COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease
7 July 2025
A new study has found that people from non-White ethnic backgrounds in England and Wales continued to be disproportionately impacted by severe outcomes after COVID-19 such as cardiovascular disease.
First of its kind study for children with arthritis reveals possible new disease targets
4 July 2025
Researchers have been able to see what happens in the inflamed joints of children with arthritis, giving insight into why treatments affect children differently.
New insights into chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis
30 June 2025
Kennedy researchers have uncovered new clues about how immune memory exacerbates inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, which could lead to better ways to control the disease.
‘Single shot’ malaria vaccine delivery system could transform global immunisation
26 June 2025
Oxford researchers have developed programmable microcapsules to deliver vaccines in stages, potentially eliminating the need for booster shots and increasing immunisation coverage in hard-to-reach communities.
Dr Chrissy Bolton wins Best Abstract Award at EULAR 2025 Congress
25 June 2025
Kennedy DPhil student Chrissy Bolton has been awarded Best Abstract in Basic and Translational Science at the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology 2025 (EULAR) conference.
£1.4m awarded to investigate how tumour mechanics affect the immune response to cancer
24 June 2025
Professor Marco Fritzsche from the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, is co-leading a research project that has been awarded a £1.4 million Programme Foundation Award from Cancer Research UK, to investigate how physical forces within tumours affect the ability of a type of white blood cell to attack and eliminate cancer cells.