01.07.26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Oxford, 16 June 2026: A new £1.7 million UK-wide research network dedicated to unlocking the role of lymph nodes in infection, immunity and inflammatory disease has launched, bringing together ten specialist centres across the country.

Led by the University of Oxford, Cardiff University and Newcastle University, and backed by a £1.7 million investment from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the launch of Lymph Node Research UK has established an interdisciplinary national network of 10 specialist lymph node research centres, with the number of planned partners growing. The network aims to position the UK as a global leader in human lymph node research.

In addition to the three lead sites, the other centres have been established at the University of Birmingham, University College London (UCL), University of Liverpool, University of Glasgow, St. George’s Vaccine Institute, and two at the University of Cambridge; the MRC Toxicology Unit and Cambridge Stem Cell Institute.

Lymph Node Research UK will contribute to multiple areas of world-leading research, including improving the efficiency and safety of vaccine development. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped organs that act as hubs of the immune system, helping to defend the body against infections, cancer and autoimmune diseases. After vaccination or infection, they often swell as millions of immune cells gather and multiply within them to coordinate the body’s immune response. Understanding these processes could help researchers develop safer and more effective vaccines, as well as new treatments for infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Lymph node research can also facilitate a better understanding of autoimmune conditions, paving the way for new therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, a currently incurable autoimmune disease affecting approximately 18 million worldwide.

Recent advances in ultrasound imaging and minimally invasive sampling techniques – such as fine needle aspiration - have made it possible to study human lymph nodes in unprecedented detail, creating new opportunities to understand how the immune system responds to infection, vaccination and disease.

Professor Katrina Pollock, Chief Investigator for Lymph Node Research UK at the Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford said:

“This marks an exciting milestone for the rapidly growing field of human lymph node research and reflects years of previous development, now enabling us to harness the strength of collaboration between our partners.

By creating this network, we are building the foundations for new discoveries in immunology, vaccine development and disease prevention, whilst establishing UK infrastructure to lead globally-impactful lymph node research.”

Dr Lucy Jones, Clinical Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University School of Medicine said:

“This funding provides a unique opportunity to build a sustainable research network, strengthen collaborations with scientists across the UK, and establish a Welsh Lymph Node Research Hub at Cardiff University. Our goal is to accelerate discoveries in immunology that can benefit patients across a range of medical conditions, from infectious diseases, autoimmune disease and age-related immune decline.

A national network of expert lymph node research centres is expected to be transformative for British science in this growing field, helping to drive forward research through targeted training and strategic regional development. It will enable substantial benefits nationally and globally across discovery science in infection and immunity, drug and vaccine development, commercial partnerships, and related fields such as cancer research.”

Professor John Isaacs, Principal Investigator for Lymph Node Research UK at Newcastle University stated:

“A better understanding of the events taking place within human lymph nodes will help to develop better treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Our own research is already sampling lymph nodes, for example in trials of AuToDeCRA*, the treatment we are developing to switch off rheumatoid arthritis.”

*AUtologous TOlerogenic DEndritic Cells for Rheumatoid Arthritis

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information or to request an interview, contact Patrick Madronero, Communications and Public Engagement Officer, Oxford Vaccine Group.

Email: patrick.madronero@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk

- The Oxford Vaccine Group is part of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford. It led the rapid clinical development of vaccinations against COVID-19 in the pandemic and has made significant contributions to knowledge, supporting national and global policy on immunisation over three decades. OVG was founded in 1994 by Professor E. Richard Moxon. It is one of the world’s leading academic vaccine research teams, and has been led by Professor Sir Andrew Pollard since 2001.

The OVG undertakes vaccine research spanning basic science and preclinical studies through to epidemiological studies, human challenge models and phase I-III clinical trials. Current research includes the study of vaccines for outbreak pathogens and pandemics, enteric pathogens, bacterial and viral respiratory infections, and use of human challenge models to accelerate vaccine development.

- The NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre is a partnership that brings together world-leading researchers and clinicians from Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Trust, and Newcastle University to turn early scientific breakthroughs into potential new treatments, diagnostics and health technologies for patients.

Our eight research themes bring a breadth and depth of world-leading experimental medicine research expertise where we can drive forward health improvements in areas that matter to patients and the NHS. The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.

We do this by:

- Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;

- Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;

- Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;

- Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;

- Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;

- Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low- and middle-income countries.

NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low- and middle-income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.

- Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain’s leading teaching and research universities and is a member of the Russell Group of the UK’s most research-intensive universities. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework found 90% of the University’s research to be world-leading or internationally excellent. Among its academic staff are two Nobel Laureates, including the winner of the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine, Professor Sir Martin Evans. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, today the University combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University’s breadth of expertise encompasses: the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences; and the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering. Its University institutes bring together academics from a range of disciplines to tackle some of the challenges facing society, the economy, and the environment. More at www.cardiff.ac.uk