The Pandemic People: Prof. Peter Openshaw

Step into the world of groundbreaking medical research with the latest episode of our podcast as Sir Andrew Pollard engages in a riveting conversation with the esteemed Professor Peter Openshaw from Imperial University. Peter Openshaw is a respiratory physician and mucosal immunologist researcher, studying how the immune system both protects against viral infection but also causes disease. He has run studies of human experimental infection of volunteers since 2008 and is Director of the HIC-Vac consortium established to accelerate vaccine development for pathogens of high global impact.

Delving deep into the realm of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection, this episode unveils the complexities of a common respiratory virus that can escalate into a serious health concern. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most adults but it can become more severe and it is the leading cause of hospitalisation in babies.

In this illuminating dialogue, listeners are treated to a comprehensive exploration of RSV, from its seemingly innocuous cold-like symptoms to its potential for severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations. The conversation navigates through Professor Openshaw's early investigations into immune responses, his fascination with inflammatory reactions, and the transformative advancements witnessed in RSV medical research over the years.

As the episode progresses, attention turns to the horizon of medical innovation, with a thoughtful examination of the challenges inherent in vaccine trials and the tantalising prospect of novel treatments for infectious diseases like RSV. Join Sir Andrew Pollard and Professor Peter Openshaw as they peer into the future, offering a glimpse of what lies ahead in the relentless pursuit of conquering respiratory ailments.