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Picjumbo
Dear friends and colleagues,
As the year comes to a close, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our success over the last 12 months.
I can't quite believe that we are already past the half way point for our research programme; so much done, but so much more to do!
Last week, I met with several of our younger researchers who were presenting some of their research data. I was struck by how confident they were and how they conveyed real excitement about their latest findings. I know that many of you who met with the same researchers a year ago would have been really impressed by their progress.
So how are we doing overall? Below, I have listed some of my highlights for the year:
1. Advanced Therapy Academy training day
One of the most important aspects of what we do is train the next generation of researchers. Thanks to Francesca Kinsella and Vlada Yarosh who ran the first of our academies for young researchers in September. There were talks about patient and public involvement, digital technology and manufacture of cellular medicines. The students and postdoctoral researchers most liked the 'Dragon's Den'-type session - where they pitched their ideas to a panel from the university and industry sector. Evelyn and Julie also provided valuable patient perspectives. We are very much looking to the next meetings in 2025.
2. Publishing our approach to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in the Lancet
Congratulations to Karen Shaw and Lee Aiyegbusi who worked with our Patient and Public Partners to write a very thoughtful 'Comment' section in the top medical journal, the 'Lancet'. The piece discussed the challenges and opportunities for PPIE in the field of advanced therapies. It is also raised the profile of this very important work, which is critical to research success.
3. PRO-CAR-T Study
Sarah Hughes, Melanie Calvert, Foram Khatsuria, and our patient group have continued to make excellent progress with the PRO-CAR-T Study. We are hugely excited to see this technology being tested in the clinic some time soon. The team's approach to designing this project is very innovative and is now published in Lancet Oncology. Sharing this experience helps other researchers to develop similar technologies for other clinical areas so there is the potential for much wider benefits for patients.
4. Manufacturing blood progenitor cells
Building on Adam Wilkinson's latest research that allows expansion of blood stem cells, the team are now working towards a clinical trial. Although there are several steps that we need to complete before this becomes a reality, the idea is to use expanded 'progenitor' or seed-like cells that can provide white blood cells in patients undergoing chemotherapy. This will be a combined project between the Oxford researchers, Kirsty Sharplin at NHS Blood and Transplant and doctors who look after patients with leukaemia. Stay tuned because we'll need your help to develop the trial!
5. Annual Meeting
I felt that our meeting in Birmingham this June worked really well and particularly enjoyed Mark's contribution on behalf of the Patient and Public Partner Group. We are thinking about how best to deal with the challenges of communicating some of the complex technologies used in our research with the wider public. Any ideas here will be welcome! We look forward to seeing you all in Oxford next year.
Best wishes,
Professor Ronjon Chakraverty, Director of the BTRU in Precision Cellular Theapeutics,