Join us for Professor John Tregoning’s Imperial Inaugural online or in person.
There is no need to register to attend so please be sure to use the add to calendar button.
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 28 May!
Abstract
Respiratory viruses cause disruption and death worldwide; vaccines offer the best way to reduce their burden. Immunology underpins our understanding of how our bodies interact with infections and also informs how we design the best possible vaccines. The last 5 years have seen both a global respiratory pandemic and am incredible acceleration in new vaccine technologies. But we still have a long way to travel, the pandemic has identified many areas for further exploration.
John Tregoning is Professor of Vaccine Immunology at Imperial. He is driven by curiosity and an optimism that science is the answer to the problems we face. He began his research career 25 years ago developing a genetically modified tobacco plant that contained a tetanus vaccine. The seed sowed in this initial study grew into a large clinical trial in 2020, driving the field forwards. He was also involved in early RNA vaccine studies which contributed a building block to their eventual success. In addition to vaccines research, his lab group explores the immune response to RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), a virus that infects babies – for which there is now a vaccine, something that seemed almost impossible once upon a time. In parallel to his research, Professor Tregoning has written (very) popular science books which attempt to capture his sense of wonder, enthusiasm for innovation and the scientific forebears upon whose shoulders his research rests, with a sprinkling of dad jokes.
Biography
Professor John Tregoning is currently Professor of Vaccine Immunology at Imperial College London, where he has studied the immune responses to vaccination and respiratory infection for more than 25 years. His group currently focusing on the immune response to RNA vaccination and the evolution of RSV. John has written more than 90 peer-reviewed scientific articles. He is also the author of two books, Live Forever? A Curious Scientist’s Guide to Wellness, Disease and Ageing and Infectious: Pathogens and How We Fight Them. He has also written numerous articles on scientific careers including a weekly COVID diary in Nature during the pandemic. He has written for UK newspapers including The Telegraph and The Guardian appeared on the Royal Institution Christmas lectures and BBC Radio 4.
