Immunology, infection and inflammation
Our ambition is to deliver public and patient benefit by identifying both the causes of disease and novel treatment strategies.
Research within the immunology, infection and inflammation theme (3Is) ranges from fundamental research, prototype discovery and design, pre-clinical testing and early clinical trials through to technology evaluation, services research and delivery.
Its research aims to improve the diagnosis, prevention, stratification and treatment of patients with various forms of autoimmune, auto-inflammatory and infectious diseases, cancers and comorbidities, and to provide a bridge to clinical innovation.
Sub-themes
The existing structures and networks associated with 3Is are well established, and their activity falls readily into three inter-related and pre-defined sub-themes, each of which has recognised national and international research excellence:
Immunology
Investigators consider the activation, regulation and control of adaptive immune responses. Research examines the role of lymphocytes in cancer, autoimmunity and infection, the homing and trafficking of lymphocytes to sites of pathology, the generation of immunological memory and immune homeostasis.
Infection
Includes fundamental interests in microbiology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology and mycology that include studies of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, pathogenomics, infection control and dissemination, parasite biology and modelling, and biofilms.
Inflammation
Research explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms that determine competent host defence, inflammation-induced tissue injury, chronic disease progression and patient stratification.
Aims
- Our research directly aligns with various strategic funding priorities by RCUK and disease focused charities, and European and international funding agencies and the theme is an excellent position to attract much needed MRC centre recognition, Wellcome Trust Strategic Award funding or equivalent.
- Underpinned by fundamental interests in understanding the mechanisms of disease progression, we will realise the opportunity to increase the number of clinical fellows and clinical collaborations to support research translation and innovation across the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences.
- We will build on pre-existing expertise around a Big Data and Systems Immunity approach to deliver a unique Cardiff University research identity.
- The ambition of the theme is to ensure a full integration of all researchers across the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences that promotes collaboration between researchers based in the Division of Infection and Immunity, the Systems Immunity URI and the various Schools within the wider College structure.
