Infection and Immunity Research Theme
Within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences there are around 15 members of academic staff involved in Infection and Immunity research.
Infectious diseases are the result of interactive relationships between pathogens and hosts. Multiple drug resistances, emerging pathogens and the high mobility and migration of populations make infectious diseases a continuous and increasing threat to health, quality of life and welfare. Although antibiotics and vaccines are available against many pathogens, the World Health Organization has estimated that deaths due to infectious diseases represent 26% of the total global mortality. The threat of emerging diseases lies largely in zoonotic infections that infect both animals and man.
The focus of our research is the molecular and cellular basis of important human and veterinary infectious diseases. Our research recognises the importance of studying the host and the pathogen as an integrated dynamic system. Our activities demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to research, interweaving state-of-the-art molecular and imaging technologies with computational modelling of cellular interactions. The ultimate goal of our programme is the development of new drugs and vaccines to combat infectious disease.
