The Centre

Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, based on a core platform of leading researchers in the areas of microbial and parasite infections, immunology, epidemiology and evolutionary biology aims towards:

• Advancing the study of infectious diseases by integrating immunology and genetics with evolutionary biology, epidemiology and mathematical biology;
• Providing an outstanding intellectual environment with cutting-edge research facilities;
• Attracting world-class research leaders and high-potential young scientists;
• Offering a top-quality training and resource hub on an international basis.

The Centre brings together 30 research leaders in infectious disease, bridging across from immunology and immunity to infection, to mathematical and evolutionary biology. Together we provide a platform for new insights, approaches and models for infectious diseases, leading to clinical and translational applications for a broad range of worldwide health problems. The Centre’s research laboratories include over 120 postdoctoral scientists, postgraduate students and research assistants.

After three years of the Centre-in-Development stage, The Wellcome Trust, one of the world’s largest biomedical charities has offered to support our initiative further with a £2.4M grant.

Where is the Centre based?

The core of the Centre is based in the Ashworth Laboratories at the University’s King’s Buildings campus.  Currently some Centre investigators are based on other sites in the city.

Why is this Centre needed?

The control of infectious diseases is one of the greatest challenges of the new century. As well as eradicating some of the most prevalent parasitic diseases from developing countries, we will undoubtedly face new and emerging pathogens of man and our domesticated animals. The Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution provides a unified platform to address these challenges by bringing together a new combination of thinking and expertise. The Centre encompasses well-established specialists in the molecular, genetic and cellular basis of infectious pathogens and the body’s immune system, alongside experts working at the level of disease spread and evolution among human and animal populations.

The intellectual environment

We place great emphasis on our interactive and collaborative intellectual environment. The Ashworth Laboratories contain two closely interdigitated Institutes (the Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and the Institute of Evolutionary Biology) which share many technical and laboratory facilities.  Frequent external seminars, internal journal clubs and informal discussion groups ensure a lively atmosphere. The Centre adds to this by hosting workshops and symposia designed to highlight new developments and to cross barriers between the diverse fields associated with infectious diseases.