UCL IIT celebrates Pears Building first anniversary

30 September 2022

A world-class centre of excellence dedicated to the study of the human immune system, the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation is celebrating its first year of work and achievements since their official move to the Pears Building, Hampstead.

Exterior of the Pears Building Hampstead showing red brick facade with four people walking by

A collaboration between UCL, the Royal Free Charity, and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, the Pears Building is the new home of the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation. The IIT brings together the clinical excellence of the Royal Free London’s hospitals and the research excellence of scientists at UCL.

The Pears Building accommodates up to 200 researchers in custom-built laboratories and research & teaching areas. The top floors of the building provide accommodation for patients who are participating in research trials.

“The UCL IIT is dedicated to the patient-focused research of the human immune system. We are developing treatments to ‘turn up’ the immune system to respond to a threat from, say, a coronavirus, or to recognise cancer cells as a danger. We also explore ‘turning down’ the immune system in order to stop the rejection of transplanted organs and to treat autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis."

Professor Hans Stauss
Director, UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation

One year on...

We take a look back over the past year at some of our highlights, from playing a key role in vital COVID-19 research and stem-cell and gene therapy treatments to open days and events for local students.