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.

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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

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Professor Uta Griesenbach

Professor Uta Griesenbach
Professor of Molecular Medicine

Dr Fiona J Culley

Dr Fiona J Culley
Associate Professor

Professor Maria G Belvisi

Professor Maria G Belvisi
Professor of Respiratory Pharmacology

Professor Terry Tetley

Professor Terry Tetley
Professor of Lung Cell Biology

Dr Kazuhiro Ito

Dr Kazuhiro Ito
Principal Research Fellow in Respiratory Molecular Pharmacol

Dr Mark A Birrell

Dr Mark A Birrell
Senior Research Fellow

Dr Michael R Edwards

Dr Michael R Edwards
Associate Professor

Professor Miriam F Moffatt

Professor Miriam F Moffatt
Proconsul & Professor of Respiratory Genetics

Dr Youming Zhang

Dr Youming Zhang
Assistant Professor in Respiratory Genomics

Professor Cecilia Johansson

Professor Cecilia Johansson
Professor of Mucosal Immunology