Immunobiology and Microbes

The Immunobiology and Microbes theme encompasses fundamental immunologists and microbiologists who are focused on understanding the role of the immune system in health and disease, with a particular focus on the complex interaction between the immune system and infections. This fundamental knowledge is essential to accelerating the discovery of new, much-needed, innovative approaches to combatting infectious diseases and other important immune diseases that burden modern society. A majority of the work of the microbiologists focuses on developing new therapeutics against antibiotic resistant bacteria targeting the respiratory tract (Klebsiella, Burkholderia, Legionella, Pseudomonas). The mortality of these infections may reach 60%, and the World Health Organization has listed such microbes in the priority group for which treatments are urgently needed. Our virologists focus also on the most important human respiratory viruses, including now SARS-CoV-2, applying a multidisciplinary approach to dissect virus-host interaction in order to develop new treatments and vaccines. Our immunologists have a strong research focus in innate and adaptive inflammatory responses associated with diseases such as allergy, infection, and autoimmunity. While understanding the mechanisms of inflammation is important, it is equally important to decrypt mechanisms that drive tissue repair and regeneration. A number of new initiatives within the group harness the power of the immune system to treat acute and chronic diseases.