Research into Virology at the University of Birmingham brings together world leading basic and clinical scientists to tackle global infections.  Our existing strengths lie in the study of persistent virus infections where we have an international reputation for our work.  A new strategic investment from the University enables us to complement this work by building our RNA virus biology research capacity and we are therefore now recruiting group leaders.

Persistent virus infections are a major worldwide source of morbidity and mortality, responsible for diverse pathologies ranging from virus-associated cancers to life-threatening infections in the immunocompromised. Virus persistence involves complex host-pathogen interactions to evade innate and adaptive immune responses.  Studying these processes will increase our fundamental understanding of normal cellular processes, whilst developing opportunities for therapeutic intervention against virus infection of the immunocompromised.

Fundamental virology research at Birmingham includes:

• Studies on virus-receptor interactions and cell tropism
• Viral latency and persistence
• Host cell transformation and oncogenesis
• Viral evasion of the innate and adaptive immune responses

These themes are pursued in the context of infection by:

• Human adenoviruses (Ads; Grand, Turnell, Mautner)
• Human papillomaviruses (HPVs; Roberts, Woodman)
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV; Young, Rickinson, Rowe, Murray)
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV; Moss)
• Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; Blackbourn, Hislop)
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV; McKeating, Balfe, Mutimer)
• Merkel cell virus (MCV; Blackbourn, Steven, Hislop) 

Birmingham’s clinical and translational virology includes

• Adoptive transfer therapy of CMV-
• EBV and AdV-specific T lymphocytes (Moss, Cobbold, Lee)
• Therapeutic vaccines targeting EBV antigens expressed in virus-associated tumours (Taylor, Rickinson) understanding the development of anti-viral drug resistance in HCV infection (Mutimer, McKeating)

Virology research in Birmingham is complemented by our MRC Centre for Immune Regulation - www.mrc-immune.bham.ac.uk

Birmingham is investing in Virology

The University of Birmingham is in a position of financial strength that is rare among British universities, and we are turning our strength into academic power.  Therefore, despite reductions in public funding, we can build on our existing world-leading research, and this includes Virology.

We have a strong international profile and we have already made a significant commitment to virology with the recent recruitment of two Professors (Jane McKeating and Martin Rowe), a Reader (David Blackbourn) and a Senior Lecturer (Peter Balfe). To maintain Virology at the forefront of international research and to fulfill a commitment to tackle global infections, three new academic group leader positions in RNA virus biology are available following a recent investment initiative in Global Infections.  New, purpose built laboratory space is available in the Institute of Biomedical Research, including biological level three containment facilities.

Can you help?

If you can contribute to our vision to raise the international profile of Virology at Birmingham and to make it the leading UK virology centre, get in touch.  You will either already be an international leader in your field, or have demonstrated your potential to become one.  You will be dynamic and collegiate .

These positions represent Phase I of the University of Birmingham Global Infections investment initiative and are part of our sustainable excellence strategy.  Phase II of Global Infections will recruit bacteriologists and will be implemented later in 2010.  Other areas of University of Birmingham strategic investment in progress encompass Stem Cells and Aging (SCAR) and Science Systems for Health.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Virology at Birmingham and have displayed independence by securing extramural, peer reviewed research funding, contact us with your CV at virology@contacts.bham.ac.uk or call +44 121 414 4474