About
As an immunologist, my research examines how antigens are processed and presented to the immune system. An associate professor in cancer immunology, my research identifying ways in which tumours escape the immune response drives my passion to develop more potent and effective cancer immunotherapies.
Harnessing the power of your immune system is forging the way to a revolution in cancer therapy.
Prof James graduated in Microbiology from the University of Bristol in 1997, he completed his PhD at Imperial college London in 2001 working on the induction of transplantation tolerance. He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of California at Berkeley and University of Southampton. He become a full professor in 2020. He sits on the Editorial board of Journal of vaccines and immunology and on the Editorial advisory board of Immunology news.
Prof James leads a group that focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind the immunodominance of antigens in tumours. In addition, his group investigates the role of antigen processing and presentation plays in generating immune responses. His research is based within the Faculty of Medicine campus; which consists of clinical and non-clinical scientists with post- and undergraduate students. Potential students, post-doctoral scientists or clinical scientists who are interested in joining his group are encouraged to contact Prof James.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Antigen processing and presentation
- Regulation of T cell responses in anti-tumour responses
Current research
Antigen processing and presentation: Investigating and understanding the MHC class I antigen processing pathway with a foucs on the aminopeptidases ERAP1 and ERAP2 and their role in editing the repertoire of peptide presented at the cell surface. We are investigating the mechanism of action of these enzymes as well as the impact of polymorphic variants in disease such as cancer
Regulation of T cell responses in anti-tumour responses: We are investigating the processes that determine the ability of T cells to identify and kill tumour cells in vivo. These studies are looking at how the quality of T cell response is influenced by less effective T cells in relation to affinity of interaction with tumour cells and how this may be exploited to induce protection responses.
Research projects
Active projects
Completed projects
Publications
Supervision
Current PhD Students
External roles and responsibilities
Biography
Prizes
- Cancer Research UK Inspiring Leadership in Research Engagement (2015)
- Vice-Chancellor award (2018)