Epstein-Barr virus research explained in captivating lecture

Professor Sir Anthony Epstein, who in addition to holding a Royal Medal from the Royal Society is an Honorary Fellow at Wolfson and has been a College member since the mid-1980s, spoke at the College to mark the fiftieth anniversary of his pioneering research.

The Epstein-Barr virus was discovered 50 years ago and it has been recognised as the first cancer-causing virus detected in humans. It is estimated that around 25% of the world's cancers are caused by viruses, and this discovery led to the creation of vaccines that aim to lower cancer rates worldwide.

Over 30,000 journal articles have been written on the research carried out by Sir Anthony and his team, and its cultural significance is exemplified in the existence of a bar, a band, and a cuddly toy all named after it.

Sir Anthony's lecture focused on the series of chances and coincidences that fortuitously came together to create the conditions for the discovery. From an unexpected death giving him access to one of the earliest electron microscopes in 1946, through funding arrangements providing continuing support that would be unheard of in academia today, to the final breakthrough, which was helped in no small part by an extended flight due to fog, he acknowledged the role of chance throughout his work.

Illustrated by images of key collaborators, notes from his lab-book, and images of viruses taken through an electron microscope, Sir Anthony's talk was engrossing and entertaining in equal measures, and served as a fitting celebration of his great work.

Professor Dame Hermione Lee added her warm congratulations to those from other College members, and praised Sir Anthony's ‘autobiography of chance, revelation, determination, collaboration’ and hard-work'.