Prof Danny Altmann
daltmann.bsky.social
Prof Danny Altmann
@daltmann.bsky.social
Professor of Immunology, Imperial College London. Editor of OUP Oxford Open Immunology. Co-author - Penguin Long Covid Handbook. Discusses: Covid-19, Long Covid, T cells, immunogenetics and HLA, respiratory infection, science policy, arboviruses, C19th lit
Pinned
Dipping toe in the water after many years at the other place, trying the transition. Mainly aiming to discuss exciting stuff happening in immunology research, including but not only responses in Covid-19 and Long Covid. Please follow if this could be of interest
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
We've just launched the first large, site-less (home, direct to participant) randomized trial for treatment of #LongCovid, testing tirzepatide (a GLP-1 drug) vs placebo. Please help spread the word
www.scripps.edu/news-and-eve...
Scripps Research scientists launch new digital clinical trial to test repurposed drug for long COVID symptom relief
www.scripps.edu
October 31, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
The day to show some love to these beautiful bats
#Halloween
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
Sea and Air Mammals, 1972
October 31, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
It was absolutely incredible to have the honor of giving the “Mendel Lecture” at the Augustinian Abbey in Brno, where Mendel lived and worked. While Mendel is the greatest hero of genetics, the lessons from his story were never learned 👇
October 31, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
Covid in England is definitely on the way down, but Flu is on the way up - and over a month early.

My latest substack
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
England's Covid wave recedes but is replaced by flu
Making Sense explores how evidence and data can help us make sense of the world — from the NHS and Covid to science, democracy and politics. Christina Pagel is a Professor of Operational Research at...
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:30 PM
A surprise bonus from COVID-19 vaccines: bolstering cancer treatment | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
A surprise bonus from COVID-19 vaccines: bolstering cancer treatment
Patients who got shots of mRNA before starting a type of cancer immunotherapy lived much longer
www.science.org
October 24, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
A groundbreaking study reveals that cancer patients who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy lived dramatically longer than those who didn’t.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
Cancer patients who got a COVID vaccine lived much longer
A groundbreaking study reveals that cancer patients who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy lived dramatically longer than those who didn’t. Researchers from the...
www.sciencedaily.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
really pleased to be able to write about our latest report on strengthening the resilience of our public bodies for LSE!

Written with @martinmckee.bsky.social .

Report here
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

blog here
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
October 20, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
For those who bash the NHS, note that British diabetics pay £0 insulin

Patients with diabetes are eligible for a medical exemption certificate (FP92A), which covers all prescriptions related to their condition. This includes insulin, needles, testing strips, and other diabetes-related medications
It costs ~$70 to produce a year’s supply of insulin.

Yet, the average annual cost of insulin went from $2,864 in 2012 to $5,705 in 2016 to $18,000 in 2025. A 25,714% markup. That isn’t inflation or supply chain—It’s corporate greed.

Now—California will sell insulin for $11. Make this nationwide!
October 17, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis: Cell www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis
The first-in-human study of anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy for progressive multiple sclerosis shows a favorable safety profile, depletion of plasma cells in the central nervous system, and alleviation of mic...
www.cell.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
After a long pause, I've just done another England Covid & NHS update as we head into the autumn/winter season.

TLDR: we're in a significant Covid wave now, the NHS is stretched, get boosted if you're eligible.

christinapagel.substack.com/p/england-is...
England is now experiencing a significant Covid wave, after 10 months of relative quiet
The latest Covid situation in England and a look at where NHS services are as we head into winter
christinapagel.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
That person you meet when you attend a scientific conference and want to quickly get breakfast alone before returning to your room to prepare your presentation
October 9, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
2012 Nobel laureate John Gurdon has died. His work was central to both the development of animal cloning and the possibility of reprogramming cells to a different state. A giant of cell and developmental biology.
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS (1933-2025) | Magdalene College
Magdalene College is deeply saddened to announce the death of Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS, who served as Master of the College from 1995 to 2002.
www.magd.cam.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
The kids are not, and never were, OK💔

Brave testimony from @sammiemc.bsky.social on the impact of #LongCovidKids on her own, & 1000s of other families.

The gaslighting & influence of certain "public health" figures what wholly unacceptable 🤬

@longcovidkids.bsky.social

youtu.be/DFykYkqr5Z4?...
Covid 19 Inquiry | Module 8 Oral Evidence of Sammie McFarland, Long Covid Kids | 01 10 2025
YouTube video by Long Covid Kids
youtu.be
October 3, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
Brilliant article by a teacher highlighting the current dire situation for teachers and kids every winter when it comes to infection risk and spread. We continue to fight for our kids to have the right to breathe clean air.

stevebheadteacher.wordpress.com/2025/09/30/d...
Dear Bridget Phillipson, Please Can We Talk About Health?
Dear Bridget Phillipson, Please can we talk about health? It’s autumn 2025. We’re one month into the school year, in England. Two of my children are ill, again.With Covid, again.It&#821…
stevebheadteacher.wordpress.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
Here I am in 2020 in the flimsiest, most pitful PPE - like so many other NHS staff, some of whom died from the Covid they caught in their hospitals.

Tory peer Michelle Mone - who today lost her legal case & must repay the govt £122m - dares to claim she’s been ‘scapegoated’.

What, Michelle? 🧵
October 1, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
"In a study taking data from across the USA, children and adolescents were found to have double the risk of developing long COVID after their second infection with SARS-CoV-2"

Timely study given the current #CovidInquiry module is focussed on children.
Long COVID Risk In Kids Found To Double After Their Second COVID-19 Infection
Catching COVID-19 twice was found to increase the risk of post-viral syndrome, contrary to popular belief.
www.iflscience.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
"Trial heard 25m surgical gowns supplied by PPE Medpro to protect NHS staff were unusable and could ‘seriously harm or kill patients’"

Good news, but there's a lot more to be done on the PPE/VIP-lane scandal.
UK government wins £122m pandemic case against Michelle Mone-linked firm over faulty PPE
Trial heard 25m surgical gowns supplied by PPE Medpro to protect NHS staff were unusable and could ‘seriously harm or kill patients’
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
The Royal Society is meeting today to determine what action to take on Elon Musk's continued membership.
What they decide will say a great deal about what the society stands for and whether it is able to meet the needs of the modern scientific community.
Royal Society to consider expelling Musk after rally speech - Research Professional News
“Language of violence” in address to anti-immigration march pushes science academy to reassess billionaire’s fellowship
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The need to step up pandemic preparedness. Wise words from Alice Norton et al
September 28, 2025 at 6:46 AM
September 28, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
Sheena is the must-follow to understand what Kennedy et al are doing to US vaccines (and other medicines)
Kennedy has been very busy- I reflect on what has been happening but also worry that his tactics could be adopted elsewhere result in in wider undermining of trust in science and reducing vaccine access and uptake 🧪
What the current disinformation and discussions on vaccines, Tylenol (Paracetamol), autism could mean for us all.
Disinformation and Disarray in American Health Policy Making
open.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by Prof Danny Altmann
I find the politicisation of autism spectrum disorder extremely troubling. Paracetamol or Tylenol as it is called in States should not be touted as a cause of ASD before anyone has scrutinised the data they allege will show this. 🧪🧵
Trump officials reportedly set to tie Tylenol to autism risk
Washington Post says announcement imminent despite guidelines showing drug – known as paracetamol elsewhere - is safe for pregnant women to take
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Why did all of us never realise the greatest medical breakthroughs were this easy! Evidence from controlled studies with a sample size of millions falls away in thrall to a ‘feeling’ that it was the mothers’ ‘fault’ all along
September 23, 2025 at 5:42 AM