Professor Luke O’Neill Collaborates in GSK Global Immunology Network
Posted on: 04 May 2016
Professor of Biochemistry, Luke O’Neill, is one of five academics worldwide to join a new immunology research collaboration programme operated by the global healthcare company, GSK.
The Immunology Network hosts global experts to set up research labs called ‘the Immunology Catalyst’ a sabbatical programme at the GSK facility in Stevenage, UK. The academic immunologists, who are predominantly focused on basic science, will join GSK’s world class R&D facility where they will work alongside GSK’s scientists while pursuing their own independent research programmes. The academics will have access to GSK’s technologies and research tools and, by connecting with our scientists, have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of drug discovery and translational research.Professor O’Neill leads the Inflammation Research Group.
Martijn Akveld, Director of Medical Affairs at GSK, said: “This programme is part of our innovative approach to R&D: we realise we don’t have all the answers and that through collaboration we can increase our understanding of new areas of science. A functioning immune system is crucial for the health of all organs in our body. If it does not work properly it can impact almost every area of medicine, from inflammation to oncology and infectious disease to vaccine development but it is one whose secrets we have largely to yet unlock.”
“We are delighted that Professor Luke O’Neill has joined our researchers at our global R&D hub in Stevenage, UK in 2016 and will remain an ongoing collaborator. He has played a key role in understanding the causes of arthritic disease and pain and will contribute significantly to the vibrant immunology community we are building across GSK.”
Professor O’Neill’s research is focused on the area of the molecular basis to inflammatory diseases, with a particular interest in pro-inflammatory cytokines and Toll-like receptors. He has published over 200 papers and reviews on his research, in journals such as Nature, Science, Cell, Nature Immunology, Nature Medicine, Nature Genetics and PNAS.
He commented: “This GSK network is a wonderfully innovative and exciting programme to be part of: it’s all about working together, collaborating to generate outstanding science. By bringing in scientists who are working on frontier science, may just give rise to brand new mechanisms and insights and hopefully new medicines. It’s all about collaboration really in science, the possibilities of what this network together with GSK could potentially achieve and learn is very exciting. I have also been able to bring with me three of my research team from Trinity to work on their basic research projects in GSK. It’s a tremendous opportunity for them to develop their careers and learn new skills in GSK, as well as advance their projects.”