COMMENTTHE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO 152 | MARCH 2004 £7m Infection and Immunity labs open DOMINIC TURNER UTTING EDGE NEW LABORATORIES for one of the UK’s leading Ccentres researching diseases such as AIDS, malaria, cancer and diabetes, were opened on 17 Febru- ary by the Most Revd Desmond Tutu. The King’s team, led by Professor Michael Malim, Head of the Depart- ment of Infectious Diseases, is inves- tigating the genetic basis of disease susceptibility and resistance, under- taking research in several areas into the interplay between the body’s response mechanisms and the chal- lenges presented by viruses, bacte- ria, fungi and parasites. Completion of these £7 million new facilities, based on the second and third floors of New Guy’s House on the Guy’s campus, mark the beginning of new research initia- tives, programmes and collabora- Archbishop Tutu hears about the world-class tions. there have already been 20 million and education systems were col- research being undertaken in the new Infection Statistics announced recently deaths. World-wide, there are lapsing leading to disasterous and Immunity laboratories from Professor Mike Malim show that HIV infection is soaring to around 14,000 new infections each effects on economies. day and 8,000 deaths. In the UK ‘I’m so thankful that people are The total number of there are around 49,500 people liv- going to be able to work to try to ing with HIV and it is estimated that a deal with this horrendous pandemic people living with third of these are unaware they are and maybe we’ll be able to find a HIV exceeds 40m infected. cure for HIV/AIDS especially.’ At the opening ceremony, Arch- He concluding by saying the work, record levels in the UK, and reaching bishop Tutu, currently Visiting Pro- dedication and commitment of the crisis proportions in Africa, deci- fessor of Post-Conflict Societies at Department ‘put a smile on God’s mating human populations. King’s, described the scourge of face.’ The total number of people living AIDS in the world, especially in with HIV exceeds 40 million and poorer countries. As a result health Continued on page 2 2 NHS University |3Talking peace: 1604 |5RAE changes |6Profile: Martin Harvey |7175th Anniversary |8King’s people 10 Interview with Archbishop Tutu |12Departmental Focus: English |13Flashback | 17 Student news |19Books News DOMINIC TURNER ing-cost solution had to be found at not be best placed, active partner- government level that permitted ship with our health trusts and the stringently peer-reviewed funding to corporate sector may be the best be accepted. way to apply this knowledge.’ ‘We all have an obligation to support The refurbishment of the Infection science and the rational debate of sci- & Immunity Laboratories has been ence, rather than its being sacrificed funded by the Wellcome Trust/Sci- on an altar of irrational and emotive ence Research Investment Fund lobbying,’ he continued, as was (SRIF), the Guy’s & St Thomas’ recently experienced by Cambridge. Charitable Foundation and the Dun- He noted that the primary goal of hill Trust. the programme was to further basic A film news feature of the new understanding – a university’s cen- facilities and the opening ceremony tral role. ‘If we find ways to apply can be viewed at www.research- that knowledge, so be it, but we may tv.com King’s boosts NHS training HS UNIVERSITY (NHSU) Ufi/Learndirect and UK e- Professors Adrian Hayday and Mike Malim in the new facilities where research will be conducted has announced the result Universities plc. into diseases such as AIDS, malaria, cancer and diabetes Nof its national call for King’s brings a number of collaboration in August 2003 to distinctive academic strengths to Continued from page 1 ‘By building a vibrant facility in which 80 universities responded. this new partnership. Professor In the same week as he opened which students and Research Fellows King’s will be the lead academic Sir Graeme Catto, Vice Principal the new laboratories, Archbishop working in these related areas can partner in London, working says: ‘I am delighted that we are Tutu gave the keynote speech to EU interact daily and exchange ideas together with 11 further regional working with our partners to ministers on the HIV crisis at a con- and tools freely, it is our firm belief academic partners nationwide, develop the education objectives ference in Dublin. that we can maximise our chances of mainly in consortia. These of the NHS.’ During his talk at the opening cer- making such discoveries.’ partners will assist with and Bob Fryer, Chief Executive, emony Professor Malim spoke about He went on to acknkowledge that contribute to NHSU’s aim of NHSU said: ‘The 11 regional the devastating effects that an infec- while much had been achieved in the transforming learning within health academic partners are made up tious disease (AIDS) can have on a industrialised nations through the and social care. of very strong consortia which nation, its social fabric, its people use of current anti-retroviral drugs, This rich mix of academic draw on the strengths of the and their livelihood. there was clearly an urgent need to partners will lead to the country’s higher and further ‘By creating a centre for immunity expand this repertoire and, perhaps development of new courses, education institutions, as well as and infection we are bringing most critically, develop effective HIV learner support, teaching incorporating the expertise of the together groups that study two of vaccination protocols. methods, practice and delivery – NHS and social care the chief determining factors that Adrian Hayday, Kay Glendinning including e-learning, work-based organisations. dictate the outcome to infection by a Professor of Immunobiology and learning, knowledge creation and ‘These partnerships, along with pathogen – the basic biology of the Head of the Department of Immuno- research. NHSU existing strategic alliances, pathogen itself and the way in which biology, has also played a key role in The principal partnership with will enhance our capacity to the host responds to such a chal- the establishment of the Centre and the University of Warwick is attract high quality staff, allow us lenge through its immune response. the new facilities. intended to help shape and to expand the range of courses It is the delicate balance between He spoke at the opening cere- support the academic that we offer and enable us to these opposing forces that deter- mony stating that much gratitude programmes and processes of reach out to a much wider mines the outcome of infection, and was owed to the Wellcome Trust and NHSU and aid the progression audience. NHSU has placed an it is through understanding the fun- the Charitable Foundation at a time towards its goal of achieving full emphasis on partnership work damental nature of any host- when, ironically, pressures were university title. These and we aim to continue to operate pathogen relationship that we can making it unfairly difficult to accept partnerships are in addition to with partners in pursuit of hope to devise new vaccines, treat- such grants since they do not pay for NHSU’s existing strategic alliances developing our educational ments and cures for infectious dis- 100 per cent of research costs. He with the Open University, objectives.’ eases,’ he explained. stressed that some sort of match- 2|COMMENT | March 2004 News Want to learn how the media works? Talking Peace: HE BA MEDIA FELLOWSHIP Scheme offers professional Somerset House 1604 Tscientists and engineers the opportunity to experience first- ING’S AND SOMERSET HOUSE group portrait of the two hand how the media works. Fellows TRUST will be holding a series negotiating teams by Juan Pantoja spend three to eight weeks on a of events during the summer de la Cruz. summer placement with a media K to celebrate the fourth centenary of Events will include: organisation learning how science is the Somerset House Conference, and • an exhibition of both versions of reported. the signing of the Treaty of London. the group portrait to be held in Previous host organisations have ‘This peace treaty, between Spain the Gilbert Collection of included The Guardian, BBC Radio, and England, ended the hostilities Somerset House (20 May - 25 Nature online and Countryfile. which had existed between the two July) You are eligible to apply for the countries during the reign of Queen • two conferences on the historical scheme if you: Elizabeth I, and marked the and literary context (27 - 29 May • are a scientist, social scientist or beginning of a new phase of political and 25 June) engineer and cultural contact,’ explained • a variety of seminars and • have a minimum of two years Acting Principal Professor Barry Ife, concerts celebrating the cultural postgraduate experience in your one of the driving forces behind the life of Jacobean London field series. • a spectacular large scale outdoor • are a resident of the UK The treaty was negotiated at a performance at Somerset A section of the portrait by Juan Pantoja de la • work at any level in an academic conference held at Somerset House. Cruz, The Somerset House Conference, or research institution, industry, London, National Portrait Gallery House and signed there on 29 The series has been organised by a civil service or any other similar August 1604. Somerset House was planning group led by Acting organisation at the time the residence of Queen Principal, Professor Barry Ife, and Consort Anne of Denmark, the wife the Director of Somerset House All are welcome at these events, For further information and online of King James I, and under her Trust, Diana Hansen, and includes many of which are free.