The groups in this research theme work on a wide variety of pathogens (protozoal and helminth parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses) and hosts (mammals, fish, insects, nematodes and plants). Common areas include mechanisms of host immunity and analysis of complex host-pathogen interactions such as determinants of virulence and immune evasion mechanisms. Genetic manipulation of both host and pathogen is a feature of many strands of research, in addition to application of state of the art imaging technologies to investigate both cellular events and infection in vivo. This is complemented by work on the vertebrate immune system, with interests in haematopoiesis, NK cell development and function, inflammation and cytotoxicity.
Institutes, centres and initiatives
This Research Theme is associated to the following institutes, centres and initiatives:
- Centre for Structural Biology
- Glycobiology Network
- Imperial Network for Vaccine Research
- Institute of Infection
- Malaria Network
- Physics of infections
- Vasculitis Centre
- Wound Healing and Regeneration Network
Academic staff in this area
Dr Michalis Barkoulas
Dr Michalis Barkoulas
Reader in Molecular Genetics
Professor Jake Baum
Professor Jake Baum
Visiting Professor
Dr Tolga Bozkurt
Dr Tolga Bozkurt
Reader in Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
Professor Hugh J M Brady
Professor Hugh J M Brady
Professor of Immunology
Professor Doryen A Bubeck
Professor Doryen A Bubeck
Professor in Structural Immunology
Dr Laurence Bugeon
Dr Laurence Bugeon
Research Fellow
Dr Matthew A Child
Dr Matthew A Child
Senior Research Fellow
Professor George K Christophides
Professor George K Christophides
Professor of Infectious Diseases & Immunity
Professor Andrea Crisanti
Professor Andrea Crisanti
Professor of Molecular Parasitology
Emeritus Professor Stephen Curry
Emeritus Professor Stephen Curry
Emeritus Professor of Structural Biology
Professor Maggie Dallman OBE
Professor Maggie Dallman OBE
Associate Provost (Societal Engagement)
Professor Daniel M Davis
Professor Daniel M Davis
Head of Department of Life Sciences, Chair in Immunology
Professor Marc S Dionne
Professor Marc S Dionne
Professor of Innate Immunity
Professor Kurt Drickamer
Professor Kurt Drickamer
Chair in Biochemistry
Dr Ana S Eulalio
Dr Ana S Eulalio
Reader in Cellular Microbiology
Professor Alain A M Filloux
Professor Alain A M Filloux
Visiting Professor
Professor Matthew Fisher
Professor Matthew Fisher
Professor of Fungal Disease Epidemiology
Dr Kleoniki Gounaris
Dr Kleoniki Gounaris
Senior Lecturer
Dr Peter Graystock
Dr Peter Graystock
Lecturer in Human and Animal Health
Dr Nadia Guerra
Dr Nadia Guerra
Reader in Immunology
Dr Masahiro Ono
Dr Masahiro Ono
Reader in Immunology
Professor Faith Osier
Professor Faith Osier
Director of the School of Health MedTech and Robotics
Emeritus Professor Murray Selkirk
Emeritus Professor Murray Selkirk
Emeritus Professor in Molecular Parasitology
Professor Pietro Spanu
Professor Pietro Spanu
Professor of Molecular Plant Pathology
Dr Maureen E Taylor
Dr Maureen E Taylor
Reader in Biological Chemistry
Dr Calvin W Tiengwe
Dr Calvin W Tiengwe
Lecturer
Dr Michael Tristem
Dr Michael Tristem
Principal Teaching Fellow
Dr Dina Vlachou
Dr Dina Vlachou
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Nikolai Windbichler
Dr Nikolai Windbichler
Reader in Genetics
Postgraduate research
Interested in studying a PhD at the Department of Life Sciences? Find out more about postgraduate research opportunties.