Medicine and Dentistry

Major step forward as new approach to rare disease drug development yields first research results.

The TREAT-EB collaboration between Queen Mary University of London and DEBRA Research aims to circumvent the discovery bottleneck blocking treatments for epidermolysis bullosa.

New brush test detects oral cancer in one hour

A paper published in the Nature journal Biomarker Research by a cross-University team led by Queen Mary University of London researchers, validates the use of a non-invasive brush biopsy test that can detect oral cancer within one hour. 

Hip fracture patients three times less likely to need repeat surgery with dual mobility hip replacements

A major international clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London and Uppsala University in Sweden has found that an emerging type of hip replacement implant dramatically reduces complications in people with a broken hip.

Cervical cancer deaths plummet to record low thanks to HPV vaccine

First of its kind research, led by Queen Mary University of London and funded by Cancer Research UK, shows that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is reducing cervical cancer deaths in England.

New theory over mystery death of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus model, Simonetta Vespucci

Expansion of pituitary adenoma may have caused her premature death at 23, and be the cause of her long-admired Strabismus (squint) of Venus 

New AI heart failure screening tool could save lives, cut hospital waiting lists and deliver major NHS cost savings

Scientists at Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust have been awarded £1.3m to develop the invention for use in the NHS.

New funding allows TRANSFORM prostate cancer research trial to invite all eligible black men

The UK Department of Health and Social Care has announced an additional investment of up to £18m, to extend the landmark TRANSFORM prostate cancer screening trial to invite all eligible Black men aged 45-74 who have not had a recent PSA blood test to participate.

Queen Mary biologist Dr Suzanne Eldridge shortlisted for top business award.

The nomination signals the growing importance of high-value science-led innovation within British entrepreneurship.

First results from NHS-Galleri trial presented at international conference

Today (Saturday 30th May 2026), the first full results from the NHS-Galleri trial, a research study looking into the use of a blood test to see if it can help the NHS to detect cancer early, have been presented at the annual American Society for Clinical Oncology conference.

Drug slows progression of MS

Trial results show that ocrelizumab helps preserve hand function and reduce the risk of wheelchair dependence in people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

Queen Mary academics elected Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences

Two Professors from Queen Mary University of London have been selected for the 2026 Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences. The honour recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and achievement in advancing medical science, improving healthcare and delivering benefits to patients and communities. 

Largest study on genetics of blood proteins uncovers new disease mechanisms and drug repurposing opportunities

Involving a collaboration with 118 investigators contributing from 89 institutions, scientists from Queen Mary University of London’s Precision Healthcare University Research Institute and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité have led the world’s largest study on the genetic regulation of blood proteins.

Scientists discover how HIV hijacks a cellular 'gateway' to infect resting immune cells

The findings, produced by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and published in Nature, overturn long-held assumptions about HIV infection and could reshape understanding of how the virus establishes hidden reservoirs in the body. 

Professor Claudia Langenberg elected as member of Germany’s Leopoldina

Professor Claudia Langenberg, Director of Queen Mary’s Precision Healthcare Research University Research Institute (PHURI) has been elected to the prestigious German National Academy of Medical Sciences, the Leopoldina.

New tool helps to identify people at highest risk of obesity-related diseases

A simple tool, developed by researchers at Queen Mary University of London and the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, could help identify which people living with obesity or overweight are most likely to develop serious obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Prostate cancer overdiagnosis rises sharply with age

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have found that the likelihood of prostate cancer overdiagnosis – the detection of a cancer that would never have been diagnosed during a patient’s lifetime but for PSA screening – is low in younger men but rises substantially with old age.

First UK study into the prevalence of poison in deaths by suicide

A new study, led by Professor Amrita Ahluwalia of Queen Mary University of London, shows that a high dosage of a substance was responsible for 164 deaths by suicide in the UK from March 2019 to August 2024, with young people disproportionately impacted.

Blog: Kidney disease is growing in Africa: big new study casts light on genetic risk factors

Segun Fatumo, Professor and Chair of Genomic Diversity at Queen Mary University of London, has written for The Conversation on ‘Kidney disease is growing in Africa: big new study casts light on genetic risk factors.’ 

Largest genomic study of kidney function in Africa reveals new genetic risk factors

An international research collaboration led by Queen Mary University of London and University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa has published the most comprehensive genomic investigation of kidney function ever conducted in African populations.  

Queen Mary's Digital Education Studio wins prestigious prize

Queen Mary University of London's Digital Education Studio has been awarded the 2026 Roger Mills Prize – one of the most prestigious honours in digital higher education – for its transformative approach to online learning through the CARE as Value-Led Digital Education Transformation initiative. 

Dr Cara Croft receives Suffrage Science Award for Life Sciences

Dr Cara Croft, Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience at Queen Mary University of London, has been awarded the 2026 Suffrage Science Award for Life Sciences. The prestigious peer-to-peer award recognises outstanding women in science for both research excellence and their commitment to inspiring others.  

Study finds shared genetic roots of MS across diverse ancestries

A new study published in Neurology and led by Queen Mary University of London, has revealed that people of South Asian, African and European ancestry share many of the same genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). 

Drug that targets immune cells shows potential as new treatment for diabetic heart disease

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have found that a medication originally developed for glycemic control can reverse serious heart damage — not by controlling blood sugar as originally intended, but by retraining the immune system to protect the heart from within. 

Single daily pill shows promise as replacement for complex, multi-tablet HIV treatment regimens

A phase 3 clinical trial, led by Professor Chloe Orkin of Queen Mary University of London, has shown that a new, daily oral tablet that combines two current HIV treatment medications – bictegravir and lenacapavir (BIC/LEN) – may simplify treatment significantly for people with HIV who currently take very complex treatments.

High-risk patients account for 80% of post-surgery deaths

Large UK-wide study shows that high-risk patients account for nearly 80% of post-surgery deaths, highlighting the need for open conversations and more tailored care.  

Blog: For neighbourhood care to work, we need a shared data infrastructure

Dr Anna De Simoni, Clinical Reader in Primary Care Research at Queen Mary University of London, wrote for the Health Service Journal (HSJ) about what is needed for neighbourhood care to work.

Study sheds new light on early brain development in Down Syndrome

Researchers uncover defects in membrane of brain cells that diminish their action and connectivity during development in Down Syndrome.

Queen Mary research results in changes to NHS guidelines

Thousands of people with advanced bladder cancer across the UK can now receive three rather than six chemotherapy cycles following research by Queen Mary University of London which has led to a change to NHS treatment guidelines. For people with the condition, this means fewer toxic side effects and a better quality of life during treatment.

Celebrating the history of medicine and dentistry at Queen Mary

Queen Mary University of London has a proud 240-year history of improving lives and access to higher education, built on four historic institutions the oldest of which – The London Hospital Medical College – was founded in 1785.

First of its kind daily HIV treatment shows promising results

The daily pill paves the way for other long-acting treatments for those living with HIV, and addresses the growing concern of resistance to integrase strand-transfer inhibitor (INSTI) treatments, which are the first line of treatments for HIV across the world.