The immune system is responsible for protecting the body against infections. However, there is a growing awareness that immunity, through inflammation, also plays a role in development of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Professors in the Immunology and Infection Disease Group work on research regarding all aspects of immunity and infectious diseases.
Similarly, microorganisms are involved in infections, but the normal components of our "microbiota" (the microbial species always present on and within our bodies such as the commensals in the intestines) also contribute to health, because they are needed for normal development of immune responses and they have a large effect on chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
The broad interests of faculty members in this group also intersect with themes in other research emphasis tracks within MCB as well as the Health Science Research Institute (HSRI).
Professor Miriam Barlow
Professor Juris Grasis
Professor Aaron Hernday
Professor Katrina Hoyer
Professor Kirk Jensen
Professor Patricia LiWang
Professor Jennifer Manilay
Professor Clarissa Nobile
