Professor Fran Platt appointed as new Head of Department of Pharmacology
2 June 2020
Professor Fran Platt has been appointed as the new Head of Department for Pharmacology at the University of Oxford. Fran took up her new post with effect from 1 June 2020 and will serve for an initial period of five years.
Nafamostat to be evaluated as potential treatment for COVID-19
19 May 2020
Daniel Anthony, Professor of Experimental Neuropathology in the Department of Pharmacology, is the scientific lead in a joint research team running a new clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness for the treatment of COVID-19 of Nafamostat. This existing medicine, manufactured by Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, is a well-established treatment in Japan for pancreatitis. The company has generously donated supplies of Nafamostat for the initial clinical evaluation.
Interdisciplinary project could lead to a personalised approach for mood stabilisation for bipolar patients
18 May 2020
The Vasudevan laboratory, in an interdisciplinary project with scientists and clinicians, across the Department of Psychiatry, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Warneford Hospital, Department of Pathology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, and the Oxford StemBANCC, have used bipolar patient-derived fibroblasts to gain a deeper understanding into patient circadian rhythms, and how these rhythmic changes could predict lithium sensitivity in bipolar disorder.
BDNF-TRKB signalling is pivotal for the sequential maturation of intrinsic hippocampal circuits
11 May 2020
The Minichiello laboratory through an excellent interdisciplinary collaborative effort, particularly with the laboratories of Prof E. Cherubini at the European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) in Rome, Italy, and Prof JM. Delgado-García at the University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain, have now uncovered a novel essential role for BDNF-TrkB signalling in driving sequential maturation of intrinsic hippocampal circuits. They show the in vivo consequences of Ntrk2/Trkb selective deletion at a time-sensitive window both on postnatal development and adult brain.
Oxford Pharmacology tops QS World Rankings once again in 2020
4 March 2020
Oxford Department of Pharmacology has been judged best in the world for the second year in a row in the QS World Rankings, published today.
Pharmacology Workshop Manager, John Harris, receives Honorary Degree in recognition of his 50 years of service
2 March 2020
John Harris, who started work in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Oxford in 1969, was awarded an MA by the Vice-Chancellor Louise Richardson at a ceremony in the Sheldonian Theatre on Saturday 29 February 2020. John was described at the ceremony as "an essential pillar on whom to rely, to lean on in times of need, a craftsman of skill and imagination, a stalwart friend and steward to some of our most important scientific endeavours".
Pharmacology seeks a Blaschko Fellow for 2020
29 January 2020
Two year fellowship post available for early career researchers
Russell group research reveals molecular target of the Utrophin modulator Ezutromid
6 January 2020
A collaboration between the Russell group (Chemistry and Pharmacology) and the Davies group (Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics) has identified, via a chemical proteomics and phenotypic profiling strategy, the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) as the molecular target of ezutromid, the utrophin modulator that recently completed a Phase 2 clinical trial in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.
Pharmacology seeks applications for two new career development positions
11 November 2019
The Department of Pharmacology is seeking to appoint up to two Career Development Fellows by early 2020. Aimed at outstanding experienced and early career researchers, these posts will provide space, access to facilities and support to enable the postholders to establish their own independent research programme.