Facing the challenges of global infectious disease together.
Imperial’s new Institute of Infection draws together the College’s world-leading expertise in infection science along with our research partners into a single entity, creating a community united by a common passion for ground-breaking, interdisciplinary infection research and education. The Institute will harness Imperial’s excellence in fundamental and applied research from across the Faculties of Natural Science, Engineering, Medicine and the Business School, and draw on the substantial expertise already established across its world-class Centres, Networks and Departments.
Building on the College’s renowned history in the translation of biological, medical and engineering sciences innovation to combat infection, the Institute will bring together an outstanding infection research community that covers every class of pathogen - bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi - with our world-leading work in human challenge capacity and strong links with patients and clinicians under a single umbrella. The combined entity will champion interdisciplinary science, recognising that breakthroughs frequently come from research at the interface between disciplines.
The Institute will drive three core interdisciplinary priorities:
- Clinical and biological sciences: We work at the interface between clinical scientists in hospitals, healthcare workers in the community, and basic scientists and modellers in the laboratory. This allows us to focus on the whole spectrum of infection research: from populations to individual patients to the laboratory. One of our key strengths is our close working relationship with leading research and teaching hospitals, as well as primary healthcare providers, such as general practitioners. We will also benefit from a new NHS translational research facility planned for the St Mary’s Hospital Campus.
- Computer science and big data: We are living in the midst of an explosion of data, from microorganisms and single cells to whole humans and populations. We bring scientists, clinicians, mathematicians, and computer programmers together to focus their expertise in data generation and analysis to help build our understanding of the complexity of infection.
- Physical and engineering sciences: We bring innovation in physical sciences and chemical, electrical, and biological engineering, together with fundamental infection research to transform the way we observe and combat infectious diseases.
Through diverse modes of education and training, the Institute will deepen collaboration across our campuses, our established Centres, Networks and Departments and outwards across the world with academic, not-for-profit and industry partners. As it grows, this will develop from a physical hub in South Kensington, with spokes radiating across the research and hospital centres of the College, breaking down traditional disciplinary boundaries and, with our healthcare partners, revolutionising the way infection is studied, taught and treated. Imperial’s Institute of Infection aims to be a leader in fundamental research and a powerhouse of translation and innovation, from its base in central London, in infections of global importance.
The Institute of Infection is led by Professor Charles Bangham, Chair of Immunology in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Professor Faith Osier, Chair of Immunology & Vaccinology in the Department of Life Sciences.
Visit the Institute of Infection webpages to find out more.