Alex Cocker
@alex-cocker.bsky.social
Bi science guy #BiInSci 🏳️🌈 | Immunology researcher | He/Him
General lover of all things nerdy 🤓
General lover of all things nerdy 🤓
Pinned
Alex Cocker
@alex-cocker.bsky.social
· Nov 19
ORCID
orcid.org
Hello everyone 👋🏻 I'm Alex and I'm a postdoc at Imperial College exploring how membrane structures on NK cells relate to their function.
I have previously looked at the immune system in HIV-1 and pregnancy, and the chronic virus-associated CD56-negative NK cells 👇🏻
orcid.org/0000-0001-71...
I have previously looked at the immune system in HIV-1 and pregnancy, and the chronic virus-associated CD56-negative NK cells 👇🏻
orcid.org/0000-0001-71...
Reposted by Alex Cocker
We're delighted to see immunologists once again recognised by the #NobelPrize! 🏆
Warm congratulations to the winners - their contributions have been vital in shaping our understanding of the immune system.
More here: www.immunology.org/news/british...
Warm congratulations to the winners - their contributions have been vital in shaping our understanding of the immune system.
More here: www.immunology.org/news/british...
British Society for Immunology response to 2025 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine | British Society for Immunology
www.immunology.org
October 6, 2025 at 11:01 AM
We're delighted to see immunologists once again recognised by the #NobelPrize! 🏆
Warm congratulations to the winners - their contributions have been vital in shaping our understanding of the immune system.
More here: www.immunology.org/news/british...
Warm congratulations to the winners - their contributions have been vital in shaping our understanding of the immune system.
More here: www.immunology.org/news/british...
Reposted by Alex Cocker
The relentless Jessica McDonald has spent two weeks and hundreds of emails to fact check claims about the safety of #CovidVaccination in #pregnancy made at the #ACIP meeting.
She couldn't have been any quicker.
A lie can get around the world before the truth can get its shoes on.
She couldn't have been any quicker.
A lie can get around the world before the truth can get its shoes on.
A substantial body of evidence supports the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy, contrary to the suggestions of some members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently reconstituted the committee.
www.factcheck.org/2025/10/vacc...
www.factcheck.org/2025/10/vacc...
October 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
The relentless Jessica McDonald has spent two weeks and hundreds of emails to fact check claims about the safety of #CovidVaccination in #pregnancy made at the #ACIP meeting.
She couldn't have been any quicker.
A lie can get around the world before the truth can get its shoes on.
She couldn't have been any quicker.
A lie can get around the world before the truth can get its shoes on.
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Our new paper, in collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb, on a Natural Killer cell immune therapy, is just published here:
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#immunesynapse #nkcells #immunetherapy #microscopy
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#immunesynapse #nkcells #immunetherapy #microscopy
Nanoscale restructuring of the immune synapse with an engager enhances NK cell function | PNAS
Engagers are antibody-based therapies which bind immune cell receptors and a target
cell ligand. Next-gen engagers typically bind two activating re...
www.pnas.org
September 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Our new paper, in collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb, on a Natural Killer cell immune therapy, is just published here:
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#immunesynapse #nkcells #immunetherapy #microscopy
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#immunesynapse #nkcells #immunetherapy #microscopy
Check out this excellent paper from Khodor Hazime and @dandavis101.bsky.social! It's got NK cells, it's got engagers, plus super-resolution microscopy!
Our new paper is out! Khodor Hazime led the brilliant work at the @dandavis101.bsky.social lab that shows *how* engagers that bring NK cell receptors together at the immune synapse boost activation against tumour cells
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
September 19, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Check out this excellent paper from Khodor Hazime and @dandavis101.bsky.social! It's got NK cells, it's got engagers, plus super-resolution microscopy!
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Got a bit of writer's block, so maybe this will help.
Or not. Or maybe nobody will respond
Or maybe too many will? I'm not sure I have more than 12 opinions, so that would also be bad
Or not. Or maybe nobody will respond
Or maybe too many will? I'm not sure I have more than 12 opinions, so that would also be bad
Okay, lets do this.
One like, one opinion that's not on politics.
One like, one opinion that's not on politics.
July 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Got a bit of writer's block, so maybe this will help.
Or not. Or maybe nobody will respond
Or maybe too many will? I'm not sure I have more than 12 opinions, so that would also be bad
Or not. Or maybe nobody will respond
Or maybe too many will? I'm not sure I have more than 12 opinions, so that would also be bad
Reposted by Alex Cocker
The EHRC’s rushed guidance caused harm from the moment it was released.
But now they’re u-turning 👀
goodlawproject.org/ehrc-formall...
But now they’re u-turning 👀
goodlawproject.org/ehrc-formall...
EHRC formally abandons single-sex toilet stipulation | Good Law Project
The EHRC’s rushed guidance caused harm from the moment it was released. But now they’re u-turning.
goodlawproject.org
June 28, 2025 at 6:14 AM
The EHRC’s rushed guidance caused harm from the moment it was released.
But now they’re u-turning 👀
goodlawproject.org/ehrc-formall...
But now they’re u-turning 👀
goodlawproject.org/ehrc-formall...
This looks great!
📝 Publishing skills webinar: How to get published and get your work noticed
Join Rachel Moriarty & Prof Simon Milling for expert tips on choosing the right journal, avoiding common mistakes & navigating peer review.
📅 17 July 12:00 BST | 🔗 Register: bit.ly/44ARC1p
Join Rachel Moriarty & Prof Simon Milling for expert tips on choosing the right journal, avoiding common mistakes & navigating peer review.
📅 17 July 12:00 BST | 🔗 Register: bit.ly/44ARC1p
BSI webinar: how to publish and promote your research | British Society for Immunology
bit.ly
June 27, 2025 at 7:43 AM
This looks great!
Reposted by Alex Cocker
April's nearly over. But the protests aren't stopping. We still have a bunch of protests happening all over the country next month.
Check out if there are any near you on our website!
And please get in contact if you know of any not on the list!
Check out if there are any near you on our website!
And please get in contact if you know of any not on the list!
April 28, 2025 at 6:47 AM
April's nearly over. But the protests aren't stopping. We still have a bunch of protests happening all over the country next month.
Check out if there are any near you on our website!
And please get in contact if you know of any not on the list!
Check out if there are any near you on our website!
And please get in contact if you know of any not on the list!
Cannot recommend presenting and attending these enough, it's a great chance to share your work and highlight the work that LGBTQ+ Immunologists do!
Who's ready for another @thestemvillage.bsky.social Immunology Seminar Series? If you haven't seen these before, we invite LGBTQ+ immunologists to present online to the wider immunology community. If you'd like to present or attend, please drop a mention below #immunosky 🧪 #academicsky
April 24, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Cannot recommend presenting and attending these enough, it's a great chance to share your work and highlight the work that LGBTQ+ Immunologists do!
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Postscript:
Emerging LGBTQ rights were weaponised for political gain in the 1980s.
The same is happening now, with trans rights the focus of hostility.
I will stand up for trans rights and dignity.
Peaceful protest is powerful.
Emerging LGBTQ rights were weaponised for political gain in the 1980s.
The same is happening now, with trans rights the focus of hostility.
I will stand up for trans rights and dignity.
Peaceful protest is powerful.
April 19, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Postscript:
Emerging LGBTQ rights were weaponised for political gain in the 1980s.
The same is happening now, with trans rights the focus of hostility.
I will stand up for trans rights and dignity.
Peaceful protest is powerful.
Emerging LGBTQ rights were weaponised for political gain in the 1980s.
The same is happening now, with trans rights the focus of hostility.
I will stand up for trans rights and dignity.
Peaceful protest is powerful.
Reposted by Alex Cocker
I will be attending this protest today. We need urgent action to protect trans human rights. See you there.
feministgenderequality.network/urgent-parli...
feministgenderequality.network/urgent-parli...
URGENT: Parliament Square This Saturday 1pm– Stand for Trans Rights - Feminist Gender Equality Network
🚨 URGENT: Parliament Square This Saturday 1pm– Stand for Trans Rights This Saturday at 1:00 p.m in Parliament Square, there will be a critical protest in support of trans rights, following todays Supr...
feministgenderequality.network
April 19, 2025 at 7:06 AM
I will be attending this protest today. We need urgent action to protect trans human rights. See you there.
feministgenderequality.network/urgent-parli...
feministgenderequality.network/urgent-parli...
Reposted by Alex Cocker
🚨DR UK's Statement Opposing the Supreme Court's Ruling on 'Biological Sex'
'We stand in solidarity with the Trans community as they experience an onslaught of rights erosions and attacks on their lives.'
Read our full statement here: www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/disabil...
'We stand in solidarity with the Trans community as they experience an onslaught of rights erosions and attacks on their lives.'
Read our full statement here: www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/disabil...
April 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🚨DR UK's Statement Opposing the Supreme Court's Ruling on 'Biological Sex'
'We stand in solidarity with the Trans community as they experience an onslaught of rights erosions and attacks on their lives.'
Read our full statement here: www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/disabil...
'We stand in solidarity with the Trans community as they experience an onslaught of rights erosions and attacks on their lives.'
Read our full statement here: www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/disabil...
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Yesterday it felt like the Supreme Court slammed a massive door, one shockingly and almost immediately embraced by almost every political party. With ever limited access to gender affirming care, the mountain young people needing it have to climb just got even higher, the world yet more toxic (1/2)
April 17, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Yesterday it felt like the Supreme Court slammed a massive door, one shockingly and almost immediately embraced by almost every political party. With ever limited access to gender affirming care, the mountain young people needing it have to climb just got even higher, the world yet more toxic (1/2)
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Short BHIVA statement following UK Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman.
Upholding the rights of women does not need to erode the rights of our trans peers.
We all face many intersecting issues, often stemming from the same misogynistic, homophobic, and anti-trans groups.
1/2
Upholding the rights of women does not need to erode the rights of our trans peers.
We all face many intersecting issues, often stemming from the same misogynistic, homophobic, and anti-trans groups.
1/2
April 16, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Short BHIVA statement following UK Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman.
Upholding the rights of women does not need to erode the rights of our trans peers.
We all face many intersecting issues, often stemming from the same misogynistic, homophobic, and anti-trans groups.
1/2
Upholding the rights of women does not need to erode the rights of our trans peers.
We all face many intersecting issues, often stemming from the same misogynistic, homophobic, and anti-trans groups.
1/2
Reposted by Alex Cocker
My analysis of today's UK Supreme Court judgment.
The UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren't Women Under the Equality Act 2010
www.wearequeeraf.com/uk-supreme-c...
The UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren't Women Under the Equality Act 2010
www.wearequeeraf.com/uk-supreme-c...
UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren’t Women under the Equality Act 2010
The legal definition of a woman in the UK now excludes trans people: This is what it means for Trans+ rights in the country
www.wearequeeraf.com
April 16, 2025 at 3:23 PM
My analysis of today's UK Supreme Court judgment.
The UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren't Women Under the Equality Act 2010
www.wearequeeraf.com/uk-supreme-c...
The UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren't Women Under the Equality Act 2010
www.wearequeeraf.com/uk-supreme-c...
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Head of Human Rights Commission on #r4today confirms trans women cannot access women's public toilets. She says trans people 'should advocate for sex-neutral third spaces'. And in the meantime? How are they supposed to have a wee when they are out and about? How does that not infringe their rights??
April 17, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Head of Human Rights Commission on #r4today confirms trans women cannot access women's public toilets. She says trans people 'should advocate for sex-neutral third spaces'. And in the meantime? How are they supposed to have a wee when they are out and about? How does that not infringe their rights??
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Under this ruling, can anyone confirm what spaces trans women or trans men with a gender recognition certificate can use according to their gender?
Public toilets? Changing rooms in a single gender clothes shop?
Or does it legally restrict all such freedoms?
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
Public toilets? Changing rooms in a single gender clothes shop?
Or does it legally restrict all such freedoms?
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
UK Supreme Court rules legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex - live updates
Judges say the
www.bbc.co.uk
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Under this ruling, can anyone confirm what spaces trans women or trans men with a gender recognition certificate can use according to their gender?
Public toilets? Changing rooms in a single gender clothes shop?
Or does it legally restrict all such freedoms?
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
Public toilets? Changing rooms in a single gender clothes shop?
Or does it legally restrict all such freedoms?
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
Reposted by Alex Cocker
THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an antiviral chewing gum that may help reduce the spread of viruses. In lab studies, it cut down viral loads of two herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and two influenza A strains (H1N1 and H3N2) by more than 95%. 🧪🧵⬇️
April 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an antiviral chewing gum that may help reduce the spread of viruses. In lab studies, it cut down viral loads of two herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and two influenza A strains (H1N1 and H3N2) by more than 95%. 🧪🧵⬇️
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Our lab has a postdoc position available to use super-resolution microscopy to understand how nanoscopic localisation of immune checkpoints dictates their function.
Please get in touch if interested in applying.
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
#ImmunoSky #Imaging #Microscopy
Please get in touch if interested in applying.
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
#ImmunoSky #Imaging #Microscopy
Research Associate in Imaging Human Immunology:Oxford Road
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk
March 26, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Our lab has a postdoc position available to use super-resolution microscopy to understand how nanoscopic localisation of immune checkpoints dictates their function.
Please get in touch if interested in applying.
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
#ImmunoSky #Imaging #Microscopy
Please get in touch if interested in applying.
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
#ImmunoSky #Imaging #Microscopy
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Went to this yesterday and it was great! Thank you to all the panelists and organisers, please keep this event going!
We are very excited to welcome many of you to our first ever ECR Careers Meeting tomorrow! 😎
We hope this will be an informative day to help with career decisions w/ many opportunities to network and ask all your burning questions to our very impressive and diverse panels!
#ECR #immunology
We hope this will be an informative day to help with career decisions w/ many opportunities to network and ask all your burning questions to our very impressive and diverse panels!
#ECR #immunology
March 14, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Went to this yesterday and it was great! Thank you to all the panelists and organisers, please keep this event going!
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Reposted by Alex Cocker
No-one risks their life in the Channel in a flimsy boat unless they have no choice.
Labour’s cruel move to block refugees from citizenship — bypassing Parliament — shows a dangerous rightward shift, ditching human rights & international law.
It must be reversed.
Labour’s cruel move to block refugees from citizenship — bypassing Parliament — shows a dangerous rightward shift, ditching human rights & international law.
It must be reversed.
February 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
No-one risks their life in the Channel in a flimsy boat unless they have no choice.
Labour’s cruel move to block refugees from citizenship — bypassing Parliament — shows a dangerous rightward shift, ditching human rights & international law.
It must be reversed.
Labour’s cruel move to block refugees from citizenship — bypassing Parliament — shows a dangerous rightward shift, ditching human rights & international law.
It must be reversed.
Reposted by Alex Cocker
Getting tested for HIV is the first step to accessing the best treatment & support.
This #NationalHIVTestingWeek, take the test and take control of your health:
✔ Get a free, confidential test at a clinic or GP
✔ Order online: startswithme.org.uk
This #NationalHIVTestingWeek, take the test and take control of your health:
✔ Get a free, confidential test at a clinic or GP
✔ Order online: startswithme.org.uk
It Starts With Me
Be part of the generation that stops HIV. Your body, your sexual health, your wellbeing – looking after them starts with you.
startswithme.org.uk
February 13, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Getting tested for HIV is the first step to accessing the best treatment & support.
This #NationalHIVTestingWeek, take the test and take control of your health:
✔ Get a free, confidential test at a clinic or GP
✔ Order online: startswithme.org.uk
This #NationalHIVTestingWeek, take the test and take control of your health:
✔ Get a free, confidential test at a clinic or GP
✔ Order online: startswithme.org.uk
Reposted by Alex Cocker
One week left to apply to this exciting PhD project! 👇👇👇
🚨Three weeks left to apply for this #fullyfunded #PhDopportunity in my group! 🚨
Are you an UK-Home student interest in #SyntheticCells science?
We are looking for you!
@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperiallifesci.bsky.social @imperialsci.bsky.social
Are you an UK-Home student interest in #SyntheticCells science?
We are looking for you!
@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperiallifesci.bsky.social @imperialsci.bsky.social
Please Share! 🚨 #FullyFunded #PhDopportunity for UK-home student 🚨
🔬Are you interested in designing dynamic synthetic cells that mimic essential life-like functions?
Join my group at @imperialsci.bsky.social @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social ! #cellmimicry #FindAPhD
findaphd.com/phds/project/e…
🔬Are you interested in designing dynamic synthetic cells that mimic essential life-like functions?
Join my group at @imperialsci.bsky.social @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social ! #cellmimicry #FindAPhD
findaphd.com/phds/project/e…
February 6, 2025 at 6:07 PM
One week left to apply to this exciting PhD project! 👇👇👇