Oxford and Thai Health Officials Sign Agreement on Infectious Disease Control
15 May 2025
On 13 May 2025, representatives from the University of Oxford and the Tak Provincial Public Health Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration on infectious disease prevention and control along the Thai–Myanmar border. The agreement focuses on joint research into key diseases affecting the border population.
Building Better Vaccines: Dr Thitinan Kitisin Explores Tonsil Organoids Models in Thailand
23 April 2025
Years of groundwork have led Mahidol University Assistant Professor Dr Thitinan Kitisin to his first major step: leading an advanced vaccine research project in Thailand. With support from MODRA, he’s now developing one of the first tonsil organoid models in the country, a small but important step toward improving how vaccines are tested. Along the way, he’s also passing on practical research skills to the next generation of Thai scientists.
MORU-Oxford Engagement Meeting
8 April 2025
On 27 March, members of the Public and Community Engagement with Research (PCER) team at the University of Oxford met with MORU colleagues and other engagement colleagues from the University. The session focused on sharing strategies for community engagement, evaluating engagement, and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.
Blog: From post-PhD uncertainty to leading international research
4 April 2025
Dr Duong Thi Hue Kien, a Post-doc Scientist at OUCRU, has shared her experience of finishing her PhD and kickstarting her career in science. She documents the highs and the lows, as well as how she was able to move forward in her career with support from MODRA, the MORU–OUCRU Discovery Research Academy.
MORU hosts international workshop on safer drug use in obstetric and paediatric medicine through PBPK modelling
19 March 2025
Healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers gathered in Bangkok 12-13 March for PBPK modelling in paediatrics, pregnancy and lactation, a major international workshop addressing a longstanding issue in medicine: ensuring safer and more effective drug treatments for pregnant or lactating women and children.
Workshop seeks to strengthen pandemic preparedness in SE Asia
14 March 2025
From 18-19 Feb, SEACOVARIANTs project public engagement team members from Thailand, Viet Nam and Indonesia hosted a workshop, Southeast Asia Social, Ethical, and Engagement Aspects of Pandemic Preparedness, in Da Nang, Viet Nam.
Innovative forensics to identify origins of falsified medicines presented to UNODC and WHO
11 March 2025
On 24-26 Feb 2025, Paul Newton, Head of MORU’s Medicine Quality Research Group (MQRG), and MQRG Deputy Head Céline Caillet presented work by the MQRG at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and WHO meeting, Strategic and Tactical Interventions to Address Medical Products-Related Crimes.
Bangladesh malaria mass vaccine and drug administration trial begins
19 February 2025
After more than a year of community engagement and preparation in 100 villages with 12,000 populations across the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the mass malaria vaccine (R21/Matrix M) and drug (DHA, piperaquine, and single low dose primaquine) administration study started on 15 Feb.
Identifying fake Covid-19 vaccines by analysing vial labels and vaccine liquids
31 January 2025
Researchers at MORU's Medicine Quality Research Group (MQRG), University of Oxford and collaborators, including the Serum Institute of India, have published an innovative method to identify falsified vaccines without opening the vaccine vial.
Myanmar-Thailand: Healthcare access without barriers
14 January 2025
In Myanmar, the United Nations reports that 3 million people have been displaced due to the ongoing civil war. The 2021 coup intensified conflicts and worsened the humanitarian crisis, forcing at least a hundred thousand to seek refuge and medical care in Thailand. The Tak province, a key crossing point between the two countries, sees a rising number of new migrants (with 40% of women) crossing the border every day. In response to this health emergency caused by these large-scale forced displacements, the SMRU and M-FUND projects have concentrated their efforts along the border area.
Study finds methaemoglobin levels could predict malaria recurrence
26 November 2024
A new study has found methaemoglobin levels during treatment for vivax malaria could be used to predict whether a patient would have recurrent malaria.
Dialogue drama on adolescent pregnancy in a marginalised migrant population on the Thailand-Myanmar border
20 November 2024
A participatory-action approach involving community members and adolescents resulted in a dialogue-drama on adolescent pregnancy, contraception, and choice in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. The dialogue-drama augmented discussion of traditionally taboo issues and this ethnographic method is potentially useful for similar global health settings.
MODRA Workshop 2 empowers next generation of researchers
19 November 2024
The MORU-OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA) Workshop 2 was recently held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The Medicine Quality Research Group invited to present at the World Health Summit, Berlin, 15th October
6 November 2024
Dr Gesa Gnegel and Dr Céline Caillet were invited to present their current work during a session at the World Health Summit. This international forum and leading global health conference brings together stakeholders from politics, science, the private sector, and civil society. The aim of this event that took place in Berlin from the 13th to the 15th of October 2024 is ‘to set the agenda for a healthier future by inspiring innovative solutions for better health and well-being for all’.
Innovative diagnostics, new tools, near-elimination strategies, cross-border collaborations top agenda at malaria elimination joint meeting
1 November 2024
From 24-26 Sept, the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) Vivax Working Group (VxWG) and Surveillance & Response Working Group (SRWG) held their 2024 Joint Annual Meeting in Kuching, Malaysia. Co-organized by SRWG and VxWG host institutions MORU and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), the event took place immediately following the 2024 International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria (ICTMM).
Dr Claire Chewapreecha wins Nature Award for Inspiring Women in Science
1 November 2024
Dr Chewapreecha, a Wellcome International Intermediate Fellow and computational biologist at NDM's Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, has been announced as the Individual Winner at this year’s Inspiring Women in Science Awards hosted by Nature and The Estée Lauder Companies. She was honoured at a ceremony in London on 31 October.
Experts gather to discuss medicine quality research
1 November 2024
Experts from across Europe joined forces to discuss research on substandard and falsified medical products and how to translate the evidence into policy and implementation. Over forty participants from various countries around the world, all based in Europe, including the UK, Sweden, France, Germany and Belgium, joined the in-person informal event at the Richard Doll Building, in Oxford, on the 24th of October.
Lorenz von Seidlein awarded RSTMH medal for outstanding work in tropical health
29 October 2024
On 10 Oct in London, the Royal Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) awarded MORU’s Prof Lorenz von Seidlein (centre) the Donald Mackay Medal for outstanding work in tropical health, especially relating to improvements in the health of rural or urban workers in the tropics.
MODRA Workshop Empowers Early-Career Scientists to Secure Competitive Research Grants
7 October 2024
The MORU-OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA) recently concluded its inaugural workshop in Bangkok. This intensive five-day programme equipped 15 promising postdoctoral researchers with the skills required to complete a high-quality seed proposal.
New study to support WHO guideline changes
2 October 2024
A new study which will help inform World Health Organization guidelines for treating children with Plasmodium vivax malaria has found that giving children higher doses of primaquine substantially reduced recurrences of malaria.
FORESFA collaborators discuss organised crime groups, AI and public health impact of SF medicines at annual meeting
20 September 2024
From 4-6 Sept, nearly 40 Forensic Epidemiology and impact of Substandard and Falsified Antimicrobials (FORESFA) project collaborators from 10 different countries met at Jesus College, Oxford, to share updates and make final year plans.
Hydroxychloroquine provides moderate COVID-19 prevention, large clinical trial shows
12 September 2024
Four years after being derailed by scientific fraud and politicised science in the first year of the pandemic, COPCOV, the world’s largest COVID-19 chemoprevention study, finally published results today that showed that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) does have a moderate benefit in preventing COVID-19.
MORU researchers awarded full Oxford professorships
3 September 2024
We are delighted to announce that four MORU Tropical Health Network researchers were among 10 NDM researchers recently awarded the title of Professor, in recognition of their research achievements, and contribution to teaching and to the general work of the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, in the most recent recognition of distinction process.
Scientists develop new method to detect fake vaccines
3 September 2024
A team from the University of Oxford and MORU have developed a first of its kind mass spectrometry method for vaccine authenticity screening using machine learning. The method repurposes clinical mass spectrometers already present in hospitals worldwide, making the approach feasible for global supply chain monitoring. The discovery offers an effective solution to the rise in substandard and counterfeit vaccines threatening public health.
Visit MalariaWorld
24 July 2024
The Malariaworld exhibition was developed in conjunction with World Malaria Day 2024 to raise awareness of malaria and malaria research, and to highlight some of our contributions to malaria research. You can now visit our virtual exhibition!
Immediate policy changes urgently needed as drug-resistant malaria spreads in East Africa
18 July 2024
The efficacy of artemisinin derivatives, the cornerstone of current treatments for malaria, is being compromised in Africa where over 1,000 children are estimated to die each day from the disease. The spread of artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites across East Africa and beyond could result in millions more deaths without immediate health policy changes, warn experts in a paper published in Science.
The MORU – OUCRU Discovery Research Academy Announces its First Cohort
18 July 2024
The MORU – OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA) is thrilled to announce the selection of its first cohort of the programme. The MORU – OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA), funded by Wellcome, is a collaborative initiative by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) and the Madihol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) to nurture the next generation of scientific leaders in low- and middle-income (LMICs) countries of South Asia.
Study details major global impact of herpes infections
4 July 2024
Genital herpes infections and their related complications lead to billions of dollars in health care expenditures and productivity losses globally, say researchers who calculated the first-ever global estimates of the economic costs of these conditions.
MORU researchers awarded OBEs in the 2024 King's Birthday Honours List
17 June 2024
The King's Birthday Honours 2024 Lists have been published, marking the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK, including two researchers from MORU who have both been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Children’s Health in Cambodia and Thailand.
PLATCOV researchers find dramatic acceleration of SARS CoV2 viral clearance rates since Sept 2021
29 May 2024
Running continuously since Sept 2021, the PLATCOV trial has randomised over 1700 patients presenting with COVID19 infections. Work by PLATCOV’s Dr Phrutsamon Wongnak published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases has shown that rates of oropharyngeal viral clearance have accelerated dramatically since the trial started: A SARS CoV2 viral clearance half-life in untreated patients of around 16 hours In Sept 2021 had reduced to around 9 hours by Oct 2023. The results highlight the importance of pharmacometric platform trials like PLATCOV, so that we are prepared for the next pandemic.
Pan made Associate Professor at Oxford
17 May 2024
In April 2024, the Head of MAEMOD, Wirichada (Pan) Pan-ngum was awarded the title of Associate Professor at the University of Oxford in recognition of her contributions to research, teaching and administration/citizenship at Oxford and beyond. Please join us in extending your heartiest congratulations to Pan for this significant honour and recognition of academic achievement. Well done, Pan!
Experts join forces to improve screening devices to detect substandard and falsified medicines
30 April 2024
Experts from across the globe joined forces to discuss how screening technologies can be improved so they can be more widely used to detect substandard and falsified medical products.
Significant global variation in national COVID-19 treatment guidelines
23 April 2024
A new study, led by researchers at the Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO) and the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) at NDM, found that a large number of national guidelines recommend at least one treatment proven not to work.
Interview with Diagnostics in Tropical and Infectious Diseases(DiTi) award recipient Dr Christopher Chew
17 April 2024
Global Health research at the University of Oxford and its partners is broad reaching, bringing significant impact across all academic disciplines of medicine, the physical and life sciences, social sciences and humanities. The Diagnostics in Tropical and Infectious Disease (DiTi) award, run by the Translational Research Office, aims to strengthen the long-term partnership between Oxford University and Mahidol University by establishing partnerships and supporting collaborative projects to develop diagnostic devices for tropical and infectious diseases, with the goal of driving more translational research initiatives in global health. Read this interview from award winner Dr Chris Chew.
Geospatial modelling study highlights Indian regions with treatment-resistant malaria parasites
16 April 2024
An updated systematic search and review of published information from over 4,000 malaria samples has identified areas in central, eastern and north-eastern India where treatment-resistant malaria parasites could be more prevalent.
Rapid diagnostic test offers cost-effective solutions for non-malarial febrile illness
10 April 2024
New research by the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, explores the potential benefits of a presumptive lateral flow rapid diagnostic test in managing acute non-malarial febrile illness (NMFI) patient care in rural areas of Southeast Asia.
New rapid test for melioidosis could diagnose patients in hours, and help save lives across Asia and the tropics
5 April 2024
Researchers have found that a new test using a CRISPR-Cas12a system (CRISPR-BP34) diagnosed patients with melioidosis, an often-fatal tropical disease caused by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei, within hours, rather than days as in current bacterial culture methods, so patients could receive the correct, life-saving antibiotics faster.
Children with acute malnutrition and malaria: the double burden that increases risk of treatment failure
13 March 2024
An analysis of over 11,000 falciparum malaria individual patient data sets has found that acutely malnourished children have a higher risk of reinfections and treatment failures, even when treated with recommended doses of artemisinin-based combination therapies, currently the best malaria treatment available. The malaria parasite clearance was also likely to be longer in these children.
New study uses isotope ratio mass spectrometry to analyse origins of falsified antimalarials
20 February 2024
New work from the Medicine Quality Group at IDDO and MORU pilots the use of stable isotope mass spectrometry to estimate where falsified antimalarials and their components come from. The study, published in Scientific Reports, is a collaboration between the Medicine Quality Research Group, LOMWRU, and MORU Bangkok, working with stable isotope scientists in Utah, USA.
Repurposed tests can detect falsified vaccines, study finds
16 February 2024
Researchers have found that widely available rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), typically used for common infections, can be repurposed to detect substandard and falsified (SF) vaccines, a significant but overlooked issue in global public health. Preliminary data suggests RDTs could be utilized by international organizations and regulators to screen vaccine supply chains for falsified products. This innovative approach addresses the urgent need for affordable tools to combat the threat of SF vaccines.