Infection and immunity

We aim to better understand how infection and inflammation begins, progresses and resolves, and its role in health and disease to identify new treatment targets

Innate immune system

A key focus is how the body responds to both infections and non-infectious triggers, especially through the innate immune system (the body's general first line of defence against intruders). 

This includes structural cells like those lining the skin and organs (epithelial cells and fibroblasts), immune cells already present in tissues (macrophages and dendritic cells), and cells that are called in to help during inflammation (neutrophils, monocytes and innate lymphoid cells).

Microscopy images showing macrophages with mitochondria, DNA, and S. pneumoniae bacteria
Human macrophages with mitochondria in green, DNA in blue, and S. pneumoniae bacteria in yellow. (Credit: David Dockrell)

Adaptive immune system

We also study the adaptive immune system (a specialised system that specifically targets the type of intruder causing the infection), which involves T cells and B cells. 

We look at how these different types of cells interact, and how processes like metabolism, cell signaling, and cell death help control inflammation. 

Sphere which is green, showing cell contents inside (red and blue)
Credit: Sarah Walmsley

The microbiome (bacterial communities)

Our research also explores how the communities of bacteria that live at body surfaces such as on our skin, in our airways, and in our gut (known as the microbiota) affect infections and inflammatory diseases. 

We also examine how the immune system clears infections with minimal inflammation in healthy individuals, and how early life, ageing or disease can disrupt this balance.

Microscopy image showing fine, thread-like structures (bacteria) interacting with bowel wall
Helpful bacteria attach to irritated bowel tissue (Credit: Dr Chengcan Yao)

Infection and immunity in development 

We use advanced developmental and infection models - including zebrafish, fruit flies (Drosophila), unique mouse models, and lab-grown human tissue models - to allow precise interrogation of specific populations of immune cells. 

These models help us understand how the immune system develops and works across the lifespan, and how it contributes to both infectious and non-infectious inflammatory diseases, uncover shared immune mechanisms and identify new treatment targets.

Fluorescent zebrafish kissing
Credit: Dr Kelvin Cheng

Researchers in this theme

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