Immunology

The development of safe and effective vaccines is dependent on a detailed understanding of host-pathogen relationships, identifying why disease occurs (pathogenesis) and defining the immunological correlates of protection.

The aim is to generate protective immunity through vaccination rather than infection. Work at the Moredun Research Institute is aimed at the investigation of viral, bacterial, protozoal and parasitic diseases that adversely affect the welfare and productivity of farmed livestock (principally sheep and cattle) with a view to developing safe and effective control strategies. This requires an understanding of how innate and adaptive immune responses are switched on and switched off. The Moredun Immunology Theme, led by Professor Gary Entrican, encompasses researchers from across the Institute that are interested in identifying immunological correlates of disease, correlates of infection and correlates of protection that lead to the development of new vaccines, diagnostic tests and management systems for controlling disease in farmed ruminants.