Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution

The Centre aims to integrate scientists whose research interests span across traditional biological disciplines.

Computer-generated image of a virus on a green background.

The Centre is an internationally outstanding centre for interdisciplinary research in the broad field of infectious diseases. It harnesses the full potential of the synergy between molecular, genetic, mathematical and evolutionary biologists to address the grand challenges of global health today.

The Centre aims to integrate scientists whose research interests span across traditional biological disciplines.

This integration will provide a framework to address 6 key research themes in infection biology:

  • Past present and future pathogen evolution: how does new disease emerge, virulence evolve and drug resistance spread?
  • Polymorphism and diversity: how does evolution shape the genetic polymorphisms that contribute to disease susceptibility or resistance?
  • Optimal immunity: how has the immune system evolved to function optimally in the presence of multiple pathogens and diverse environmental conditions?
  • Intrinsic and extrinsic signals: can we exploit host and pathogen signalling networks to promote vaccine efficacy or disrupt parasite development?
  • Transmission biology and host range: what are the drivers of disease spread at the molecular and epidemiological level?
  • Promoting parameterisation: can the interaction between traditional experimentation and quantitative analysis derive new insight into infection biology?