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Institute of Immunity and Transplantation

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Research

Our research streams are contained within three clusters: immune therapy, immune tolerance and inherited diseases. We cover a broad range of activity, including viral immunity (vaccines and therapies) and various strands of immunoregulation.

Immune therapy

We study immunity to viruses that remain leading global causes of morbidity and mortality: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and SARS-CoV-2. By dissecting how these viruses evade host immunity and by distinguishing protective from pathogenic immune responses, we can inform development of urgently needed vaccines and immunotherapies.

Scanning electron microscope image of 'super' T-cell (immunity cell) that has been engineered to become a cancer fighting T-cell.

Cancer immunology

Small dial of Covid-19 vaccine

Antiviral vaccines and therapies

Novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov2) (NIH)

Protective and dysfunctional antiviral immunity


Immune tolerance

We seek to understand more about the mechanisms behind the function of T & B cells, autoimmune diseases, the complexity of the immunity system, and tissue immunity from disease sites. Our aim is to tackle overreaction or erroneous behaviours, and to develop better vaccine designs, biomarkers and targeted immunotherapies.

Cell structure

Autoimmunity and inflammation

DNA strings / helix in blue

Computational immunology

Regulatory T-Cell (NIH)

T & B cell development and function

Novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov2) in red and blue (NIH)

Tissue immunity

Two surgeons in protective equipment operating under surgical lights

Transplantation


Inherited disease

We study inborn errors of immunity (IEI), rare inherited diseases that result in immunodeficiency and/or autoimmunity, inflammation and malignancy. The number of identified genes that cause IEI continues to grow. We aim to explore the mechanisms by which specific gene mutations in IEI cause immunological diseases and use this knowledge to develop new therapies.

Cells and synapses

Inherited immunological diseases


Latest news

Professor Reza Motallebzadeh

Michael Nicholson Award for kidney transplant study

Prof. Reza Motallebzadeh has received a £94,000 award to study how a group of immune cells found in the kidney control viral infections in kidney transplant patients.

Professor Christopher Denton

IIT professor elected to Academy of Medical Sciences

Prof. Christopher Denton, chair of the UK scleroderma study group (UKSSG), is among 58 biomedical and health scientists to be elected to the Academy in 2024.

outside the pears building promotional image

£1m award to investigate new treatment for type 1 diabetes

IIT scientists including Prof. Lucy Walker and Dr Andreas Tiffeau-Mayer are part of a team to receive £997,000 from the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge.