Pathogen biologyUsing cutting-edge cellular, structural and molecular biology techniques, we are investigating viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites; their structure; and the ways they survive and cause disease.

  • Microbes have evolved with us, developing a multitude of strategies to spread from one person to another as well as avoiding or overcoming attempts to eradicate them. In the process, they cause disease by many different routes.
  • Vaccines stimulate protective mechanisms that target components of viruses, bacteria and parasites. It is therefore essential that we understand the structure of these components so targeting can be improved.
  • Furthermore, by defining how pathogens promote transmission and cause disease, vaccines can be designed to specifically reduce spread between individuals and disease severity when absolute prevention cannot be achieved.

Key members of this theme