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Infections, Genetics and Environment

Understanding the drivers of respiratory disease

Innovation

Imperial secures 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.

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

Infections, Genetics and Environment team members

Dr Luke P Allsopp
Associate Professor in Molecular Bacteriology

Professor Eric W FW Alton FMedSci
Chair in Gene Therapy

Dr Fiona J Culley
Associate Professor

Professor Jane C Davies
Professor of Paediatric Respirology & Experimental Medicine

Dr Rebecca A Dobra
Clinical Lecturer

Dr Alexandra R Dvorscek
Research Associate

Dr Claudia M Efstathiou
Research Associate

Miss Harriet Ellis
Research Associate

Dr Dominic W Fenn
Clinical Research Fellow

Professor Uta Griesenbach
Professor of Molecular Medicine

Dr Dominic A Hughes
Clinical Associate Professor in Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis

Professor Cecilia Johansson
Professor of Mucosal Immunology

Miss Zhaojin Lin
Research Assistant

Professor Peter J M Openshaw CBE FMedSci
Professor of Experimental Medicine

Ms Dimitra Pipini
Research Assistant in Respiratory Immunology

Mr Benjamin Potter
Research Assistant

Dr Lillie F Purser
Research Associate

Dr Luca Robinson
Research Associate

Dr Rachel F Rollo
Research Associate

Dr Anthony J Sinadinos
Research Associate