Infections, Genetics and Environment

In this section

Infections, Genetics and Environment

Understanding the drivers of respiratory disease

Innovation

Imperiasecures ARIA funding to develop broad protection against respiratory viruses

Our researchers have been awarded £7.5m to develop new therapies that provide broad, long-lasting protection against respiratory viruses by harnessing the innate immune system.

Section Leadership

Heads of Section

Cecilia Johansson (Non-Clinical)
Jane Davies (Clinical)

Section Leads

People and Culture Lead: Maia Lesosky
Education Lead: Tamlyn Peel
Research Lead: Andre Amaral

Respiratory disease is driven by a complex interplay of infection, genetic susceptibility, and environmental exposure. Our research focuses on understanding how these factors shape disease, influence transmission, and determine why outcomes vary between individuals and populations.

Drawing on expertise in immunology, genomics, epidemiology, clinical medicine and global health, we take an integrated approach spanning molecular mechanisms through to population-level patterns. This enables us to translate discovery into impact – advancing prevention, improving early diagnosis, and developing new approaches to protect against infection and reduce the burden of respiratory disease.

Our work spans:

Respiratory infections and emerging viral diseases
Tuberculosis and global respiratory health
Asthma, COPD and airway disease
Cystic fibrosis and genetic lung disease
Host–pathogen interactions and immune defence
Vaccines, immunoprophylaxis and antiviral therapies
Genetics, genomics and the airway microbiome
Environmental and occupational exposures
Population health, epidemiology and data science
Clinical trials and experimental medicine