Oxford & Dstl Team Up to Fight Deadly Pathogens
The University of Oxford’s Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI) has joined forces with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in a high-stakes bid to tackle the world’s deadliest pathogens. These two UK scientific heavyweights will pool their resources to prepare for future pandemics and biological threats, whether natural or man-made.
High-Security Labs at the Heart of the Battle
With dangerous pathogens requiring top-tier Category 3 and 4 containment labs, Oxford’s PSI and Dstl bring complementary strengths to the table. PSI was set up to boost the UK’s readiness against pandemics by researching high-risk viruses. Dstl, renowned for its secure containment facilities and expertise in handling high-consequence pathogens, will provide PSI access to its labs, enhancing the fight against infectious threats on the Government’s priority list.
Focus on the Killer Nipah Virus
The initial spotlight falls on the Nipah virus, a lethal bug that spreads from bats and pigs to humans, mainly in Bangladesh and India. With no current vaccine or treatment, it boasts a high death rate. The partnership plans to fund a PhD programme for up to four years aimed at cracking how Nipah infects hosts and discovering new antiviral treatments.
More Joint Efforts & Future Funding
- Developing medical countermeasures for high-priority and unknown pathogens
- Research collaborations on less dangerous pathogens
- Applying together for fresh funding opportunities
Simon Earwicker, Head of Dstl’s Chemical, Biological & Radiological Division, said: “The UK has a significant pool of expertise in hazardous pathogen research. Working jointly will enable us to maximize the impact of this capability and develop a future stream of qualified personnel. We’re very excited with the opportunities this will provide for our staff to work alongside internationally-recognised experts to study life-saving treatments and vaccines.”
Professor Sir Peter Horby, Director of the Pandemic Sciences Institute, added: “This new partnership will accelerate vital research on dangerous emerging pathogens, such as Nipah virus, that cause death and disease in many parts of the world and threaten global health security. Working together in this way, with access to high containment labs and sharing skills and expertise between our organisations, will help ensure the world is better prepared to counter future pandemic threats.”
