Dr Ingólfur Johannessen

Clinical Lecturer in Virology and Consultant Clinical Virologist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Research Focus

Dr Johannessen works with oncogenic human herpesviruses. Specifically, his research interests include Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) biology and pathogenesis with particular reference to EBV-associated tumorigenesis. Additionally, he is interested in the development of novel immunotherapy for EBV-associated cancer as a therapeutic model for virus-driven tumours. Since EBV-induced malignant cells express EBV-derived antigens, EBV-associated malignancies lend themselves to immunotherapeutic targeting of such ‘foreign’ antigens. Thus, Dr Johannessen’s research aims to generate translational data to benefit patients as quickly as possible.

Recent Publications

Haque T, Johannessen I, Dombagoda D, Sengupta C, Burns DM, Bird P, Hale G, Mieli-Vergani G, Crawford DH. ‘A Mouse Monoclonal Antibody against Epstein-Barr Virus Envelope Glycoprotein 0 Prevents Infection Both In Vitro and In Vivo’. Journal of Infectious Diseases 2006; 194: 584-587.

Ogden CA, Pound JD, Batth BK, Owens S, Johannessen I, Wood K, Gregory CD.‘Enhanced Apoptotic Cell Clearance Capacity And B Cell Survival Factor Production By IL-10-Activated Macrophages: Implications For Burkitt's Lymphoma’. Journal of Immunology 2005; 174: 3015-3023.

Newsome PN, Johannessen I, Boyle S, Dalakas E, McAulay KA, Samuel K, Rae F, Forrester L, Turner ML, Hayes PC, Harrison DJ, Bickmore WA, Plevris JN. ‘Human Cord Blood-Derived Cells Can Differentiate Into Hepatocytes In The Mouse Liver With No Evidence Of Cellular Fusion’. Gastroenterology 2003; 124: 1891-1900.

Johannessen I. ‘Epstein-Barr Virus, Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease And Animal Models’. Reviews in Medical Microbiology 2002; 13: 129-140.

Johannessen I, Perera SM, Gallagher A, Hopwood PA, Thomas JA, Crawford DH. ‘Expansion In SCID Mice Of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disease Biopsy Material’. Journal of General Virology 2002; 83: 173-178.

Johannessen I, Asghar M, Crawford DH. ‘Essential Role For T Cells In Human B Cell Lymphoproliferative Disease Development In SCID Mice’. British Journal of Haematology 2000; 109: 600-610.