Conventional management of immune disease assumes the causes of disease are similar in each individual and as a result many immune treatments are variably effective whilst causing significant side effect profiles. It is increasingly recognised however that different pathophysiological processes can result in apparently-similar immune diseases. Advances in genomics, cellular immunology and transcriptomics allow us for the first time to resolve in an individual the unique causes of their illness. Furthermore, rapid application of these technologies allows us to potentially identify new treatment targets based on the cause of disease.

Projects will provide the opportunity to investigate the cause of immune disease in individuals and their families. Students will work with both human samples and CRISPR mouse models of disease, and as part of their project develop skills related to genomics, molecular biology, transcriptomics and human and murine immunology. The projects aim to both illuminate improved understanding of the fundamental biology of the immune system, causes of immune disease, and also has the potential to impact on patient’s lives.