Investigating the causes of excessive and aberrant immune responses which result in inflammation and autoimmune disease
Work on almost any aspect of immunology has implications for inflammation and autoimmunity. A number of groups work on areas of immune regulation specifically directed at these important problems, using both human and model systems. There are major strengths in the genetics of complex immune disease, with Cambridge researchers playing leading roles in recent Whole Genome Association studies in Type 1 diabetes (CIMR), inflammatory bowel disease (Department of Medicine) and multiple sclerosis (Department of Neurosciences), and in the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (Sanger Centre and others). Work on aspects of immune regulation directly applicable to autoimmunity is carried out in all major institutes and departments. Translational research into a number of immune and inflammatory diseases is undertaken at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, particularly in nephrology, rheumatology, respiratory medicine, neurology and transplantation. Finally clinical trials of novel immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory agents are coordinated from Cambridge.
