Tony Minson
Encyclopedia
Anthony C. Minson PhD, FMedSci
is a British virologist specialising in the pathogenesis
of herpesviruses
. As of 2009, he is a Pro-Vice-Chancellor
of the University of Cambridge
, and professor of virology at the university's Department of Pathology.
, Essex
, Minson received his first degree in Birmingham in 1965. He did postgraduate work at the Australian National University
, researching fungal
genetics
.
In 1976, he took up a position as Senior Research Associate at the University of Cambridge
. In 1991, he was appointed professor of virology in the Department of Pathology, and has previously served as head of the Division of Virology. He is a fellow of Wolfson College
.
In 2003, Minson was appointed the first of five Pro-Vice-Chancellor
s of the University of Cambridge, with particular responsibility for planning and resources. He is also on the steering committee of the multidisciplinary Cambridge Infectious Disease group.
and assembly of herpesviruses
.
Academy of Medical Sciences
The Academy of Medical Sciences is the United Kingdom's national academy of medical sciences. It was established in 1998 on the recommendation of a group that was chaired by Michael Atiyah. Its president is John Irving Bell....
is a British virologist specialising in the pathogenesis
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of a disease is the mechanism by which the disease is caused. The term can also be used to describe the origin and development of the disease and whether it is acute, chronic or recurrent...
of herpesviruses
Herpesviridae
The Herpesviridae are a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word herpein , referring to the latent, recurring infections typical of this group of viruses...
. As of 2009, he is a Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Pro-Vice-Chancellor
In a university, an assistant to a vice-chancellor is called a pro-vice-chancellor . These are sometimes teaching academics who take on additional responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities are in charge of Administration, Research and Development, Academic and Education affairs...
of the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, and professor of virology at the university's Department of Pathology.
Education and career
Born in IlfordIlford
Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, Minson received his first degree in Birmingham in 1965. He did postgraduate work at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
, researching fungal
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
genetics
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
.
In 1976, he took up a position as Senior Research Associate at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. In 1991, he was appointed professor of virology in the Department of Pathology, and has previously served as head of the Division of Virology. He is a fellow of Wolfson College
Wolfson College, Cambridge
Wolfson College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. Wolfson is one of a small number of Cambridge colleges which admit only students over the age of 21. The majority of students at the college are postgraduates, with around 15% studying undergraduate...
.
In 2003, Minson was appointed the first of five Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Pro-Vice-Chancellor
In a university, an assistant to a vice-chancellor is called a pro-vice-chancellor . These are sometimes teaching academics who take on additional responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities are in charge of Administration, Research and Development, Academic and Education affairs...
s of the University of Cambridge, with particular responsibility for planning and resources. He is also on the steering committee of the multidisciplinary Cambridge Infectious Disease group.
Research
Minson's current research focuses on the entryViral entry
Viral entry is the earliest stage of infection in the viral life cycle, as the virus comes into contact with the host cell and introduces viral material into the cell. The major steps involved in viral entry are shown below. Despite the variation among viruses, the generalities are quite similar...
and assembly of herpesviruses
Herpesviridae
The Herpesviridae are a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word herpein , referring to the latent, recurring infections typical of this group of viruses...
.