MPhil Immunology and Vaccinology

University of Liverpool

Without an immune system, humans and animals would be vulnerable to overwhelming infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Immunology is the study of how the body defends itself against infection. Vaccinology is the science behind developing vaccines that initiate protective immune responses. By pursuing a research degree in Immunology and Vaccinology, you’ll contribute to vital research that enhances our understanding of immune defences and advances vaccine development.IntroductionThe University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences (IVES) brings together leading medical, veterinary and basic science researchers from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.We are one of the few UK institutions to have designed, developed and tested a human vaccine all the way through to clinical trials. Our significant human sample collection supports immunological research, enhancing our understanding of how vaccines work, paving the way for next-generation vaccines.Research in Immunology and Vaccinology is based in new laboratories at four sites, the Biosciences Building, IC2, the Leahurst campus and the Ronald Ross Building. Our research spans the breadth of vaccine research from development to implementation and evaluation. The aims of the research are to investigate the nature of the cellular and humoral immune responses to pathogens of human or veterinary importance. It encompasses studies of the immune responses to and vaccination against a range of bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens. These include:SARS-CoV-2InfluenzaSalmonellaStreptococcus pneumoniaeChicken metapneumovirusCryptosporidiumCytomegalovirus and other herpes virusesCyathostominsFasciolaGiardiaHIVJapanese encephalitis virusMycobacterium tuberculosisNeospora caninumOnchocercaToxoplasmaLeptospiraTreponemaZika virus.Research topicsAspects of immunology and vaccinology you could explore on this research degree include:The immunological basis of vaccine-induced protective immunity against bacterial and viral pathogens in humans and animals. For example:Disease epidemiology and clinical trialsVaccine adjuvantsMicrobial ecologyAntigen discovery and vaccine developmentPre-clinical assessment modelsImmune correlates of protection.