News

Infections that pose greatest pandemic risk identified by experts

Experts have pinpointed more than 30 infections that are likely candidates for the next major pandemic.

The team used a method that already predicted the threat of both the Ebola and Zika viruses before they emerged to cause major epidemics.

Malaria study shows how multiple infections make disease worse

Scientists have discovered why infections with two types of malaria parasite lead to greater health risks – because one species helps the other to thrive.

They sought to understand what happens when the two most common malaria parasites cause infection at the same time, as they are known to attack the body in different ways.

Major review on Drug Resistance in Eukaryotic Microorganisms

A major review on drug resistance in eukaryotic microorganisms was published today in Nature Microbiology. It’s a result of a collaboration between researchers into infectious diseases ('Infectious Disease Research In Scotland' consortium) from four Scottish universities.

The review highlights how malaria, trypanosomes and Leishmania, as well as fungi, have evolved resistance to current therapies and suggests steps to understand and mitigate these resistance mechanisms.

Alex Rowe collaborates with Immunovaccine Inc. on malaria vaccine study

Initial study conducted by CIIE and Immunovaccine Inc. will examine vaccine candidate’s effects on malaria parasites linked to most severe form of the disease.

CIIE Annual Retreat again a success

The Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution annual Retreat was held on June 6-7th 2016 at the Dunkeld House Hotel.

The ticking time bomb of antimicrobial resistance: what can we do and where should we go next?

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), in collaboration with the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) and The Young Academy of Scotland (YAS) will host a series of exhibitions and interactive sessions on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Luke McNally in Café Scientifique

CIIE's Luke McNally will be speaking at Edinburgh's public engagement event at the Filmhouse, on the evenin g of 9th May. The talk entitled Are we more microbe or human? starts at 8.30 p.m.

New paper from CIIE members

A paper on innovative approaches to manage disease without traditional antibiotics will be published in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health.

It's an outcome of CIIE Symposium and has five current or former CIIE authors. The paper is available online as an early view.

CIIE Visitor: Frank Møller Aarestrup

As part of our Visiting Scientists Scheme CIIE is hosting a visit from Professor Frank Aarestrup, head of Genomic Epidemiology at National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark.

On 21st March 2016 at 3.35 p.m. in Lecture Theatre 3, Ashworth Labs our visitor will give a seminar entitled "Global infectious disease surveillance - why and how?"

£200m European loan set to enhance Edinburgh’s global standing

Ambitious plans to transform the University of Edinburgh's campuses will be boosted by a £200million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced on Tuesday.

The loan, together with £100m from a US investment fund, will provide £300m of new investment capacity to support a range of building and refurbishment projects over the next 10 years. The investment will strengthen Edinburgh's reputation as a global leader in education and research.

Job opportunity for PDRA(s) at CIIE

CIIE is currently looking to attract dynamic and enthusiastic researchers, eager to operate at the interface between disciplines (e.g. infection biology, immunology, evolutionary biology, ecology, epidemiology and mathematical modelling) to create new research paradigms to tackle infectious diseases.

With the recent success in funding applications by our current CIIE PDRAs, we now have the opportunity to support 1 or 2 additional CIIE PDRAs for up to 12 months (i.e. until early 2017).

Mothers’ appetites can keep size of wild animal groups in check

The eating habits of mothers may be key to keeping wild animal populations steady, a study suggests.

The discovery shows that the food intake of mothers – which impacts on the appetite of their offspring – protects animals from periods of population boom and bust.

Study charts hotspots for bat virus

Edinburgh scientists have helped pinpoint world regions most at risk of bat viruses spilling over into humans.

West Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia are most at risk from bat viruses leading to new emerging diseases in people, according to the new global map.

Professor Keith Matthews awarded Sanofi Pasteur mid career award

CIIE Director, Professor Keith Matthews has been awarded a €75,000 prize recognising his research into the parasite that causes sleeping sickness.

The prize is one of four given annually by French company Sanofi and the Institut Pasteur, which recognise major contributions in the service of health. His award is given in the mid-career category.

Latest technology could help curb repeat Ebola crisis, experts say

Recent developments in surveillance technology could enable a swifter, more effective response to potentially deadly outbreaks of disease, a study has found.

The Ebola crisis has highlighted a need to bolster global surveillance and enhance the capability to react appropriately to further outbreaks, experts say.

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