MRC Human Immunology Unit

Funding awarded for autoimmune disease research

Dr Kate Attfield awarded project funding by Connect Immune Research and The Lorna and Yuti Chernajovsky Biomedical Research Foundation.

Confocal microscopy of a lung section, 4 days after being rechallenged with an influenza virus. Resident memory B cells (red) and newly generated plasma cells (yellow) can be seen in very close proximity to infected cells (light blue).

Defining the role of resident memory B cells in the fight against influenza

Researchers at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology and the MRC Human Immunology Unit have used 3D and live-imaging to show how resident memory B cells boost antibodies to fight influenza.

Multi channel pipette loading biological samples in microplate for test in the laboratory

Influenza virus toolkit announced

The reagent repository will build research capacity for studying influenza viruses, and increase preparedness for the next influenza pandemic.

Three DPhil student volunteers from the MRC WIMM playing with slime at Freeland CE Primary School. From left to right: Grace Meaker (Wilkinson group); Norah Alrishedan (Bodmer group); Maya Pidoux (Dong group).

From ‘Ew, gross!’ to ‘Wow!’: Scientists bring immunology to the classroom

For British Science Week, members of the MRC WIMM visited a local Oxfordshire primary school for an interactive science day – one of the first of its kind since the start of the pandemic.

At the MRC Human Immunology Unit we propel the understanding and treatment of immune mediated diseases.

MRC HIU includes 16 research teams with over 160 scientists who share a common goal - to harness the immune system to enhance human health.

About the MRC HIU

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MRC HIU Research Groups

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Blue 3D rendering of coronavirus particles

CORONAVIRUS RESEARCH

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Researchers discuss academic posters at the HIU Day.

MRC HIU People

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FULL MRC HIU SEMINAR LIST

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Public Engagement

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Collaboration and innovation lie at the heart of the MRC HIU. Our research groups work together to understand how the human immune system functions, what happens when it fails, and how we can use our knowledge of these systems to improve patient outcomes. By working together with clinicians, industry and charities, we aim to translate our scientific findings at the HIU so that they can have a positive impact on global health. - Professor Alison Simmons

MRC MHU Director- Professor Alison Simmons

Alison Simmons

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Latest publications

Secondary influenza challenge triggers resident memory B cell migration and rapid relocation to boost antibody secretion at infected sites.
Journal article

MacLean AJ. et al, (2022), Immunity
Competition for refueling rather than cyclic reentry initiation evident in germinal centers.
Journal article

Long Z. et al, (2022), Sci Immunol, 7
SARS-CoV-2 peptides bind to NKG2D and increase NK cell activity.
Journal article

Kim H. et al, (2021), Cell Immunol, 371
BMP pathway antagonism by Grem1 regulates epithelial cell fate in intestinal regeneration
Journal article

LEEDHAM S. et al, (2021), Gastroenterology