Understanding Immunity and Infection to Improve Health

The Immunology and Microbiology research theme investigates how immune responses and microbial interactions influence health and disease.

Our work spans respiratory, gastrointestinal and renal disorders, as well as infection control and vaccine development. Using advanced technologies such as organoid models, spatial transcriptomics and multi-omics, we uncover mechanisms of immune regulation and translate discoveries into new therapies.

Through global collaborations and clinical partnerships, we aim to reduce the burden of chronic disease and infectious threats, delivering solutions that improve health outcomes across diverse populations.

Research focuses

Transplant Immunology and Precision Medicine

Improving outcomes for kidney transplant patients through immune profiling, biomarker discovery, and tailored immunosuppression strategies.

Researchers: Katie Baines, Gerard Kaiko

Respiratory Immunology and Chronic Airway Disease

Mechanisms of severe asthma, COPD, and infection-driven exacerbations; development of novel therapeutics and vaccines.

Researchers: Jay Horvat, Nathan Bartlett, Alex Spencer, Gerard Kaiko

Gastrointestinal Immunology and Microbiome Science

Understanding mucosal immunity, microbiome interactions, and epithelial repair in IBD, food allergy, and colorectal cancer.

Researchers: Simon Keely, Gerard Kaiko

Stem Cell and Organoid Models for Mucosal Diseases

Using patient-derived organoids and iPSCs for drug screening, personalised medicine and vaccine development, and mechanistic studies in lung and gut diseases.

Researchers: Gerard Kaiko, Alex Spencer, Simon Keely, Nathan Bartlett

Infection, Inflammation and Systemic Disease

Immunobiology of infections (e.g., Chlamydia, BK virus, Influenza) and their links to disease and neurodegeneration; iron–immune interactions.

Researchers: Alex Spencer, Katie Baines, Jay Horvat

Environmental and Occupational Immunology

Immune responses to inhaled particulates and workplace exposures; links to chronic lung disease and systemic inflammation.

Researchers: Jay Horvat

Team members

Academics
Post-doctoral researchers, research assistants and managers
Postgraduate students
  • Christie Catley
  • Ellie Doubleday
  • Paris Hunter
  • Prabhasha Jayasundara
  • Rejitha Joseph
  • Coady Kelly
  • Isaac Moore
  • Jane Reed
  • Aja Rippon
  • Anviti Vashishtha
  • Sammantha Vinzenz