Dr Craig Thompson

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

We investigate how the immune system responds to viral infection and how viruses evolve to evade immunity in order to develop better vaccines.

Viruses such as flu, common cold coronaviruses, and SARS-CoV-2 are able to re-infect people throughout their lives, in contrast to viruses such as measles, which typically only infect a person once in their lifetime. They are able to do this in a variety of ways, including via mutation or due to the waning of host protective immunity. Our research uses a combination of lab-based and bioinformatic techniques to study how such viruses evade population immunity. Based on these understandings, we develop vaccines to combat them.

An individual’s infection history also influences their ability to fight diseases. In most cases, prior immunity to a virus is protective, whilst in other instances it may be detrimental. Our team has expertise in B-cell immunology which allows us to dissect a patient’s response to vaccination or infection. As well as helping us understand why some individuals have more severe viral infections than others, researching the impact of immune memory on the generation of a protective immune response allows us to make more effective vaccines.

Our vaccines are assembled using novel vector technology utilising a synthetic virology approach for vaccine production. We analyse what a specific vaccine needs for each pathogen from first-principles before creating assemblies of protein and RNA/DNA to enable us to induce robust humoral and cellular immune responses.

We take an interdisciplinary and translational approach to research and welcome individuals from a wide range of disciplines. We use computational approaches to streamline experimental design and automation to speed-up bench-based lab work with ultimately translation to the clinic.

We aim to perform transformational basic research as well as commercialise research when possible and desirable, founding start-ups and licencing patents to the benefit of everybody in the research team.

Research Groups

Virology and Vaccinology Group

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Discussion-based, supportive, goal-orientated.

Provision of Training

I aim to provide a structured first year of experiments. This allows you to become comfortable in the lab and data analysis, learn established techniques and explore the literature. During this time, it’s important to discuss and question the literature, and develop your own ideas. This allows you in second and third years in the group to take more control over the direction of your project. I set aside one hour a week to meet each student, which can be used to discuss your project or any other concerns you might have. I also have an open-door policy if discussions or input is needed outside that hour. My aim is to help you become a highly capable independent scientist able to question the literature and address problems in a scientific and logical manner. We will also focus on other aims such as assembling a thesis and publishing your work as well as the next step(s) in your career.

Progression Monitoring and Management

Weekly one-to-one meetings, weekly lab meetings and biweekly lab discussions of papers and scientific concepts allow me to monitor your progress. We will have clear milestones throughout the project to provide you with a focus and an idea of the timeframes involved.

Communication

I find that regular weekly face-to-face meetings are the best way to communicate. We also have lab meetings and lab discussions, which involve the whole team. Our team also has an active WhatsApp group chat which we use to regularly communicate during the week and weekends if needed. Whilst I expect you to keep up with team communications, I will also expect you to manage your work/life balance. No responses are expected at weekends to emails or Whatsapp messages but they are expected during the working week.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per week

The meetings will be a mixture of face to face or via video chat and I am usually contactable for an instant response (if required) on every working day.

Working Pattern

Work in my lab requires being present on site during the core hours of 10:00-4:00pm.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Developing an Pandemic Influenza Vaccine The Evolution of Virus Morphology and Virulence

Previous Projects (2023-24)

Primary supervisor for:

The Evolution of Virus Topology