Infection, Immunity and Inflammation
This research strength includes groups studying clinical and epidemiological aspects of high profile infectious diseases, as well as basic scientists studying the biological basis of host immune responses and inflammation. UNSW has substantial existing strengths in the study of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) infections, as well as pathophysiological studies of a wider range of infectious and inflammatory diseases and processes. With regard to HIV and HCV infections, public health, epidemiology and clinical trials are the strengths of the National Centre for HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research. Research groups in the School of Medical Sciences and in the Clinical schools provide strengths in basic pathophysiological studies of inflammation and immune responses.
These research themes span the pathway from bench-to-bedside with studies ranging from cell culture systems and animal models of disease to human clinical trials of antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory agents in arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and other auto-immune diseases. Blood and tissue samples are collected from patients with these disorders and from the relevant animal models to allow application of state-of-the-art laboratory techniques in: molecular biology such as real time PCR and microarray techniques to examine gene expression; cell biology assay systems including flow cytometry and multiplex immunoassays; protein studies both by mass spectometry and traditional electrophoresis techniques ; and genomic investigations by SNP analysis.
The UNSW Schools and affiliated Centres which are participating in this initiative include:
- National Centre for HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR)
- School of Medical Sciences
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine
- Prince of Wales Clinical School
- St Vincent's Clinical School (Centre for Immunology)
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
- National Centre for HIV Social Research (NCHSR; Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences)
- St George Clinical School