Immunity and microbiome

The immune system employs a diverse range of strategies to protect the host against dangerous microbes and tumour growth. We investigate how the immune system distinguishes foreign invaders and examine the cell types, receptors and signalling pathways that calibrate the response to the level and type of threat. We are also interested in the mutually beneficial relationship between the immune system and microbes that populate the gut and other body surfaces, and in particular how these microbes exert control over immune cell development and function. These studies provide insight into the causes and treatment of autoimmune disease, and may help guide design of vaccines and approaches to harness the immune system to treat chronic viral infection or cancer.