Microbiology & Infectious Disease

Microbes are the oldest and most widespread organisms, representing the basis of all life on Earth. Diseases caused by microbes are the result of complicated ecological and evolutionary interactions of microbes with ‘macroorganisms’, such as ourselves.

Rather than approaching these challenges from a medical view, we investigate infectious disease from a biological perspective. This often provides surprising insights and novel ways of thinking about disease control and its prevention.

Our research involves informing vaccine development and policy, identifying new strains or variants of disease to help prevent pandemics, tackling anti-microbial resistance, developing ways to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, and applying knowledge beyond humans to other animals and plants.