Area of Focus
FAQs
What is the 'host immune response' in infectious disease?
The host immune response refers to how the body’s immune system detects, fights, and remembers pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It plays a critical role in whether an infection is cleared or becomes severe.
Why is immunology important in climate-related infectious diseases?
Climate change can influence how the immune system functions—through factors like heat stress, pollution, or malnutrition—altering how the body responds to infections and vaccines in different environments.
What are you researching in this area?
We study how environmental stressors impact immune function, identify immune markers of disease progression, and develop diagnostic tools and treatments based on individual immune responses.
Are you developing new therapies or vaccines?
Yes. Our research supports the development of climate-informed immunotherapies and vaccine strategies tailored to vulnerable populations with unique immune profiles.
How do you use AI in immunology research?
AI helps us analyze complex immune datasets, identify hidden patterns in host-pathogen interactions, and predict immune outcomes—speeding up discovery and improving precision.
Can I volunteer or contribute to immunology research?
Absolutely. We welcome students, researchers, and partners to join our efforts. Visit the "Get Involved" section for current opportunities.
Immunology of Host Response
The Research Centre studies changes in climate patterns and how it expands the range of disease-carrying vectors by increasing the risk of vector-borne illnesses.
Increased temperature and other climate-related stress can impair immune systems.
This impact is multifaceted, affecting the epithelial barrier, innate immunity, and adaptive immunity. The effect being mediated by factors like heat stress, air pollution, and changes in the gut microbiome.
Climate-related exposures, such as air pollution and heat, can damage the skin and mucous membranes, which are the body’s first line of defense — making individuals more vulnerable to pathogens.
Climate change is linked to longer and more potent pollen seasons, exacerbating allergies and asthma.
Our Commitment and Goals
We are committed to advancing the understanding of how the human immune system responds to infectious diseases, especially in the context of environmental and climate stressors. Our goal is to uncover immune mechanisms that drive resistance, susceptibility, and recovery—empowering the development of targeted vaccines, diagnostics, and therapies.
Through cutting-edge immunological research, we aim to:
Decode how climate variables influence immune function and disease severity
Identify immune biomarkers for early detection and treatment monitoring
Develop personalized, climate-adapted immunotherapies
Support preparedness for emerging pathogens with immune profiling tools
By bridging clinical research and immunological innovation, we strive to protect vulnerable populations and strengthen public health resilience.