Inflammation and Infection Research
About Us
Inflammation and Infection Research is a cross-disciplinary collaborative research centre comprising several related groups. Our overall scientific goal is to understand the role of inflammation in human disease and to develop improved strategies for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Research Themes
Studies directed towards achieving the scientific goal are undertaken using a variety of cellular, molecular and proteomic techniques, with an emphasis on parallel studies in human clinical samples, animal models of disease, and
in vitro cell culture systems.
The IIR includes the following research groups:
Arthritis Research Group led by Dr John Hunt and Professor Patrick McNeil examining the role of tryptases and other inflammatory molecules in the development of arthritis and autoimmune diseases;
Cytokine Biology Research Group led by Professor Carolyn Geczy which investigates novel mechanisms of inflammation, particularly in relation to S100 proteins and their involvement in asthma and cardiovascular disease;
Cancer Cachexia Mechanisms Research Group led by Dr Patsie Polly which is studying cancer-mediated inflammation and its role in causing cachexia or body wasting;
Immune Regulation Research Group led by Associate Professor Nicodemus Tedla studying the functional biology of a new family of immunoregulatory molecules, the Leucocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (LILRs);
Infection and Immunity Research Group led by Professor Andrew Lloyd and Dr Amany Zekry which studies the pathogenesis of hepatitis C infection, as well as the immunogenetic determinants of the severity and course of illness associated with acute infections;
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Group led by Professor Michael Grimm studying the mechanisms of inflammation in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease;
Metabolic Disorders Research Group led by Dr David Simar, investigating the mechanisms underpinning development of metabolic dysfunction in the immune system and in skeletal muscles;
Ocular Diseases Research Group led by Associate Professor Nick Di Girolamo and Professor Denis Wakefield investigating diseases of the human anterior chamber and ocular surface, including pterygium, and autologous stem cell therapy for repair of corneal surfaces;
Pancreatic Research Group led by Professor Minoti Apte, which investigates disease mechanisms in acute and chronic pancreatitis as well as the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer;
Pulmonary Inflammation Research Group led by Professors Rakesh Kumar and Paul Thomas, investigating inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of asthma and the application of these findings to clinical disease.
Major Researchers
Senior Investigators
Minoti Apte
Nick Di Girolamo
Carolyn Geczy
Michael Grimm
John Hunt
Rakesh Kumar
Andrew Lloyd
Patrick McNeil
Patsie Polly
David Simar
Nicodemus Tedla
Paul Thomas
Denis Wakefield
Amany Zekry
Investigators
Rowena Bull
Barbara Cameron
Cristan Herbert
Fabio Luciani
Phoebe Phillips
Post-doctoral Scientists
Katherine Bryant
Rajkumar Cheluvappa
Sharron Chow
Kenneth Hsu
Kelly Mai
Sean O'Neill
Melissa Scott
Suzy Teutsch
