Masked T‑cell engagers: cancer immunotherapies for the future?
A new immunotherapy drug has demonstrated early promise in a recent prostate cancer clinical trial. The drug, called VIR-5500, is a “masked T-cell engager”. This type of immunotherapy ignites our own immune arsenal to fight cancer.In the trial, which is still in...
What is meningitis B? Vaccines, symptoms and why young people are at risk.
Following the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent, Professor Jeremy Derrick, an expert in molecular microbiology affiliated with the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, spoke with the Manchester Evening News to explain why this pathogen remains...
Publication Roundup: February 2026
Below is a list of the peer-reviewed papers and scholarly contributions published by Lydia Becker Institute-affiliated researchers during February 2026.Immunobiology of the serous cavities Parkinson JE, Allen JE, Jackson-Jones LH. Sci Immunol, February 2026 PMID:...
Stroke’s Reach Beyond the Brain: New Study Reveals Impact on the Gut Immune System and Microbiome
Stroke is a potentially fatal neurological event that is increasingly prevalent across the globe. While rapid clinical interventions are urgently needed to reduce acute mortality, stroke survivors also suffer from a wide range of secondary and long-lasting health...
Research identifies a distinct immune signature in treatment-resistant Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the connection between nerves and muscles. This attack causes muscle weakness that can affect vision, movement, speech, swallowing, and breathing. While many patients respond to...
Publication Roundup: January 2026
Below is a list of the peer-reviewed papers and scholarly contributions published by Lydia Becker Institute-affiliated researchers over the last month. Comparative Effectiveness of Abatacept Versus Adalimumab in Shared Epitope Positive and Negative Patients With...
Stroke and “fight-or-flight” response weakens the immune system
A new University of Manchester and Edinburgh study published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity has found that people who have had a stroke have fewer of a specific type of immune cell called B cells, which normally produce antibodies to fight off infections....
CIM Connect Unites Manchester Researchers Across Cancer, Immunology and Cell–Matrix Science
On Monday 8 December, the Cancer, Immunology, Matrix (CIM) Connect event brought researchers and clinicians from across Manchester together for an evening of rapid-fire talks, shared insights, and lively discussion focused on tumour–microenvironment...
Professor Tracy Hussell Receives Nature Lifetime Achievement Award for Mentoring in Science
A 2025 Nature Award for Mentoring in Science has been awarded to Professor Tracy Hussell for lifetime achievement. The awards recognise individuals who provide exceptional guidance and support to emerging scientists, foster a culture of collaboration and excellence,...
Building Trust in Health Research at the Castlemere Community Health Fair
On Saturday 1 November, the Lydia Becker Institute took part in the Community Health Fair at Castlemere Community Centre in Rochdale. The event was co-produced by Dr Madhvi Menon and Dr Sean Knight from the Becker, Mohammed Tariq from the Northern Care Alliance NHS...
