Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to results of the Com-COV2 study looking at different combinations of first and second vaccine doses
A study published in The Lancet looks at immunogenicity, safety, and reactogenicity of heterologous COVID-19 primary vaccination incorporating mRNA, viral-vector, … read more
Results from the COM-COV2 study (Comparing COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule Combinations)
In June we heard from the team running the COM-COV trial giving results of mixed vaccine schedules on the immune … read more
expert comment on the omicron variant and the UK
Following an update on the omicron variant situation in the UK from Sajid Javid in the House of Commons on … read more
expert reaction to study identifying sildenafil (Viagra) as a candidate drug for Alzheimer’s disease
A study published in Nature Aging identifies sildenafil as a candidate drug for Alzheimer’s disease. Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Deputy Director … read more
expert reaction to UK government’s proposed new drugs strategy
The government has launched a new 10-year drugs strategy for England and Wales. Prof Liz Hughes, Professor of Nursing, … read more
The effect of different infection and vaccination combinations on immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants
New research, from a team from Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London and published in Science, looks … read more
expert reaction to study looking at genome editing to create single sex mice litters
A study published in Nature Communications looks at the use of genome editing technology to generate single-sex litters and sex-specific … read more
expert reaction to preprint looking at risk of reinfection associated with emergence of the Omicron variant in South Africa
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection associated with the Omicron variant in … read more
Preparing for Extreme Risks: Building a Resilient Society – a new report from the House of Lords Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee
The House of Lords opened an inquiry into Risk Assessment and Planning in October 2020. They have assessed UK government planning … read more
expert reaction to fourth and final government report on understanding and tackling COVID-19 disparities
The final report by the Race Disparity Unit on progress to address COVID-19 health inequalities has been posted online. This … read more
The Government’s fourth and final quarterly report on COVID-19 disparities
This final quarterly report from Dr Raghib Ali, the government’s independent adviser on COVID-19 and ethnicity, brings together, for the … read more
expert reaction to COV-BOOST study investigating safety and immunogenicity of seven COVID-19 vaccines as a third dose following two doses of either Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer
A study published in the Lancet looks at the safety and immunogenicity of seven COVID-19 vaccines as a third (booster) … read more
COV-BOOST Results
COV-BOOST is a blinded, multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial investigating safety and immunogenicity of seven COVID-19 vaccines as a … read more
expert reaction to study looking at pollutants and sex ratio at birth
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology looks at variations in human sex ratio at birth. Dr Gareth Nye, Lecturer … read more
expert reaction to study demonstrating a new model simulating human embryo development
A study published in Nature uses human blastoids to model blastocyst development and implantation. Dr Harry Leitch, Stem cell … read more
expert reaction to MHRA approving Xevudy (sotrovimab) as a COVID-19 treatment
The monoclonal antibody treatment Xevudy has been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in … read more
expert reaction to study looking at a possible mechanism for the VITT associated with the adenovirus COVID-19 vaccines
A study published in Science Advances looks at a possible mechanism for vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) associated with adenoviral … read more
Genome editing and farmed animal breeding – findings of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics inquiry
The use of genome editing technologies in the breeding of farmed animals could potentially offer some new ways to help … read more
expert reaction to report on genome editing and farmed animal breeding
A report published by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics looks at the social and ethical issues surrounding the use of … read more
expert reaction to study looking at risk of COVID-19 hospital admission among children aged 5–17 years with poorly-controlled asthma in Scotland
A study published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine looks at risk of COVID-19 hospital admission among children in Scotland aged … read more