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Dr Claire Smith

@drclairesmith.bsky.social
411 followers 172 following 34 posts

Associate Professor @UCLchildhealth studying epithelial, neutrophil and mucosal responses to respiratory virus infections including influenza, RSV and SARS-COV2.

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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🎓 Open PhD Position 🦠 PhD topic: DC14 – Repurposing antivirals for clinical use and their real-life effectiveness 📅 Deadline: 8 October 2026 More info here lnkd.in/e-j9N7Xg Applicants can not have resided in UK for last 12 months #PhD #PhDPosition #MSCA #MarieSkłodowskaCurie #ResearchJobs
lnkd.in
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Really pleased to announce my promotion to Professor of Respiratory Infection and Epithelial Biology @ucl.ac.uk. I couldn't have got here without some amazing people and mentors along the way, and the hard work of current and past group members. #FirstGenPhD #FirstGenProf #promotions
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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
To get better protection against respiratory infections and transmission we need to achieve nasal immunity. A new @cp-immunity.bsky.social review www.cell.com/immunity/abs...
cell.com
Nasal immunity in respiratory viral infection, transmission, and protection
The nasal mucosa is a key decision point during respiratory viral infection. Here, Kazer et al. review new understanding of how local host cell subsets respond during viral infection and how this know...
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Delighted to share our new paper, out now in @natureportfolio.nature.com where we show that neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) tracks RSV severity in infants, and can be used as a functional readout of therapeutic efficacy in the lab. 📄 Read it (open access) 👉 rdcu.be/ftx53
rdcu.be
Neutrophil myeloperoxidase as a functional biomarker for RSV severity: implications for in vitro therapeutic screening
Nature Communications - Preclinical human models are needed to investigate mechanisms and evaluate therapies for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children. The authors here...
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Thoroughly enjoyed my first #ICAR2026 in Prague! I was inspired by the spirit of collaboration from everyone involved. Made many new connections and had great discussions, which I hope will help accelerate antiviral research in the years ahead. Thanks @isaricar.bsky.social #Antivirals
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Really enjoyed Day 1 of #microbio26 with time to explore sunny(ish) Belfast and catch up with old friends. If you're around today come check out my talk at 2:30 in the 'out of body experience' session @microbiologysociety.org
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Matthias Eberl @eberlmat.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
A reminder that measles cannot be treated, it can only be prevented. It is one of the most contagious diseases in the world and can cause blindness, deafness and life-threatening lung and brain infections.
theguardian.com
More than 60 children infected in north London measles outbreak
Cases reported in seven schools and a nursery in Enfield amid concern over low levels of MMR vaccination in capital
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Fantastic final day at #AIR2026. A masterclass in in vitro modelling by Scott Randall followed by a great panel discussion with funders @asthmaandlung.org.uk @wellcometrust.bsky.social @cysticfibrosis.org.uk @karlstaples.bsky.social
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Another insightful day of science, discussion and making new friends at #AIR2026 Day 2 Highlights: making sense of big data, spatial transcriptomics and in vitro modelling of respiratory infections @eventswcs.bsky.social @sangerinstitute.bsky.social
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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
UKHSA responds to the confirmation from @WHO that the UK has lost its measles elimination status. Read more from WHO here: bit.ly/3YZuOFa
Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'Infections can return quickly when childhood vaccine uptake falls; elimination is only possible if all children receive two MMRV doses before school. Older children and adults who missed vaccination must be caught up. The NHS is making vaccination easier, including offering the second MMRV dose earlier at a new 18-month appointment to boost uptake and support elimination goals.'
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UCL @ucl.ac.uk · 21/01/2026
3 weeks until UCL turns 200! 🎉 From library all‑nighters to the friendships that shaped your journey, UCL has meant so much to so many. What’s your standout UCL memory? 📸 Oct 2017 #LoveUCL entry #UCL200
Two people sitting on a bench at UCL, viewing the London skyline featuring the BT Tower at sunset, seen through large columns.
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Tom Peacock @peacockflu.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Really excited our paper about how H5N1 rapidly adapted to cattle (and how these adaptations also increased its ability to infect cells from the human respiratory tract) is now published! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Polymerase mutations underlie early adaptation of H5N1 influenza virus to dairy cattle and other mammals - Nature Communications
Avian influenza jumped from wild birds into dairy cattle. Here, the authors report that two mutations in the viral polymerase helped the virus to quickly adapt to cattle. Mutations increased the polym...
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Thinking of pursuing research in Child Health sciences? Join our upcoming online information session where you’ll find out what it’s like to study at a world-leading institution. 🌍 📅 Child Health MRes – 9 February, 17:00-18:00 🔗 Secure your place: www.ucl.ac.uk/population-h...
ucl.ac.uk
Graduate Open Events: Paediatric and Child Health
Explore Master’s degrees in Child Health and Paediatric Neuropsychology. Join our virtual open events to meet Programme Directors and plan your next career step.
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Ed Hutchinson @socialinfluenza.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
If you'd like to celebrate the biology of viruses - or the fight against viral diseases - this winter, try out our free and updated #VirusSnowflake designs. Please share, and if you have any photos of Virus Snowflakes in your area it would be lovely to see them! cvr-engagement.co.uk/virus-snowfl...
A flurry of snowflakes with text reading 'Virus Snowflakes: a collection of paper art viruses by Ed Hutchinson - Download now!' along with the logo of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Deadline for abstracts extended to 1st December
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Daniel Goldhill @influenzal.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Finished a virology PhD or finishing soon? Check out this job - www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Londo...
healthjobsuk.com
Job vacancy: Healthcare Scientist, UK Health Security Agency, London | trac.jobs
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
🚨 New preprint from the group - #Neutrophil myeloperoxidase as a functional biomarker for RSV severity: implications for in vitro therapeutic screening. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Neutrophil myeloperoxidase as a functional biomarker for RSV severity: implications for in vitro therapeutic screening.
Neutrophils play a dual role in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, contributing to both viral clearance and lung damage. Analysis of peripheral blood-derived neutrophils from infants with RS...
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Interested in respiratory infections? who isn't! Then register for this fab conference with a fantastic line-up of speakers and sessions @sangerinstitute.bsky.social Abstract submission open until 17th Nov!! @eventswcs.bsky.social coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/event/air-20...
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Irish skies
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Ed Hutchinson @socialinfluenza.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Please join us if you can for this year's Influenza Update Meeting, and please spread the news! It will be another fun opportunity to meet other influenza researchers, make connections and discuss our ongoing research.
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Ed Hutchinson @socialinfluenza.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Our study on pasteurising influenza viruses in milk is now out! It's a nice simple story: influenza viruses (including H5N1) are killed really effectively by pasteurisation, but in raw milk they stay infectious - obvious public health implications of both points... (1/2) rdcu.be/d73te
A picture of a Fresian cow whose markings resemble influenza viruses
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Tom Peacock @peacockflu.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Really proud to share our preprint describing early adaptation of H5N1 to US dairy cattle, and showing how these mutations enhance the ability of the virus to infect other mammals, such as pigs and humans. With @influenzal.bsky.social @vidhid.bsky.social @drclairesmith.bsky.social and many more!
biorxiv.org
Polymerase mutations underlie adaptation of H5N1 influenza virus to dairy cattle and other mammals.
In early 2024, an unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza was detected in dairy cattle in the USA. The epidemic remains uncontrolled, with spillbacks into poultry, wild birds...
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
🚨 New paper alert! We developed a simple cell assay to evaluate drug efficacy and synergy against emerging SARS-CoV-2 strains. Here we test both novel and repurposed antiviral drugs, identifying synergies that could enhance treatment effectiveness. Read more here: journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org
Efficient in vitro assay for evaluating drug efficacy and synergy against emerging SARS-CoV-2 strains | Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Broad-spectrum antivirals approved for treating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), such as remdesivir, molnupiravir, favipiravir, and nirmatrelvir, target key viral enzymes ...
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
last 2 days to apply! : We have a fully funded #PhD #studentship available in my lab for Oct25 @UCLchildhealth. Project will research new treatments/targets for airway inflammation during viral infection using complex in vitro models. Deadline 13th Dec Apply here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
ucl.ac.uk
UCL – University College London
UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
I'll be speaking this morning @btsrespiratory.bsky.social in "A Winter's Tale" session about the model we have developed to study RSV infection in children which was funded by Animal Free Research UK. Come find out more in Moore/4th at 11:05 #BTSwinter2024.
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British Association for Lung Research @balrcommunity.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Emma Johnson and Tereza Masonou for the BALR early career researcher awards! Congratulations to both and to the BTS and Asthma+Lung UK winners!
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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
A big day of output for the Human Cell Atlas, a global collaborative project with 100 countries to understand our ~37 trillion cells A Wikipedia of our cells, a "remarkable achievement" nature.com/articles/d41... nature.com/immersive/d4...
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Hensley Lab @scottehensley.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
The preliminary sequence from the H5N1 human case in British Columbia has been posted and it is not good news. The virus potentially has a quasispecies at HA residue 226 (H3 numbering). This is bad news because we know that mutations at residue 226 can increase binding to human receptors. 1/
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Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
#USDA has confirmed 3 more #H5N1 #birdflu infected dairy herds in California, bringing the state's total to 294, nearly 27% of herds in the state. All those herds were recorded in the past 2.5 months. The cumulative national total is 508 herds across 15 states. www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-po...
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Dr Claire Smith @drclairesmith.bsky.social · 29/09/2024
Incredibly proud of our talented postdoc Tereza Masonou for her talk on how the neutrophil response to SARS-CoV-2 differs depending on the age of the infected nasal epithelial cells @options2024. If you're here come see our posters P153, P198, P139 & P461 later today!
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