Infections, Immunity and Microbes

Immunity

Discovering and exploiting innate defences against infections are a focus, as are mechanisms of disease such as the recognition of chronic bacterial infections. Applied and translational aspects, such as the development of immune-competent tissue models, complement the research activities in this area.

Our researchers study interferons and STAT transcription factors to uncover mechanisms by which our immune system responds to viral and bacterial pathogens (Professor Uwe Vinkemeier, Action Medical Research Chair of Cell Biology), they research dysregulated immune function and biomarkers of disease (Professors Herb Sewell and Ian Todd, Associate Professors Paddy Tighe and Karl Wooldridge, and Assistant Professor Lucy Fairclough), and decipher novel mannose receptor pathways that recognise allergens (Associate Professor Luisa Martinez-Pomares).

Teams of our scientists are involved in multi-disciplinary research spanning life sciences, engineering and medicine that will deliver biomaterials for drug or cell delivery or therapeutic use. Professor Amir Ghaemmaghami’s bioengineering research is with the EPSRC Next Generation Biomaterials Discovery project  and a number of European funded consortia (Immodgel and PANBioRA). We are also taking cross-disciplinary approaches to the study of cellular information processing and cytoskeletal dynamics (Assistant Professors Claire Friel and Alan Huett).

Our division hosts the University of Nottingham Flow Cytometry Facility, which can be accessed by internal and external users. 

Immunity
 

Research that’s making an impact

Antimicrobial therapy can prevent sepsis in pneumonia patients

Antimicrobial therapy that targets specific cells in the immune system could prevent sepsis and life-threatening disease in people with pneumonia.

 
 

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)

A protein known for its ability to guard against viral infection has been found to hinder disease therapies in animals.

 
 

The future of optical techniques in biology

Join Claire Friel and scientists from across the University and elsewhere to discuss minimally-invasive optical approaches.

 
 

Being in a good mood boosts flu jab effectiveness

Paddy Tighe, Lucy Fairclough and Ian Todd deliver new research on flu vaccine effectiveness

 
 

Our research
team

Postgraduate
opportunities

 

 

Infections, Immunity and Microbes

School of Life Sciences
University of Nottingham
Medical School
Queen's Medical Centre
Nottingham NG7 2UH