Transplantation Immunology & Mucosal Biology

The Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology has a strong interest in basic biological mechanisms that determine the balance between health and disease. Research programmes combine expertise in complement, clotting, immune regulation, immune tolerance, tissue repair and fibrosis and how loss of normal controls results in diseases of the kidney, liver and gastrointestinal tracts. The Division is home to the MRC Centre for Transplantation which brings together research across disciplines including genetics, protein and cell therapeutics, imaging science and stem cell biology. Its collaborative programmes apply to solid organ, tissue and cell transplantation. Trainee mentorship is a priority which together with opportunities in translational and basic science, and record of internationally competitive research, offer distinctive features of the Division. Our broad programmes of work give exposure to communication skills, statistics and ethical regulation of research as well as innovative methods of treatment.

The Division offers a rich environment for post graduate study. Students benefit from a faculty which develops research from basic laboratory discovery science along the translational pathway through to clinical research for patient benefit. Graduate students join a successful cohort within the MRC Centre with opportunities to work across a wide range of research groups. The Division and Centre bring together a wealth of international expertise to mentor and teach in this exciting research area. Divisional students have an opportunity to attend seminar series within the Division but also to interact with other students from associated Divisions such as Immunology, Infection and Inflammatory Diseases.

Students are supported throughout their three/four-year (FT) or six-year (PT) studies by a personal thesis progress committee composed of the student's two supervisors, two independent experts and a chairperson, who is an experienced faculty and participates in the work of divisional Postgraduate Training Committee. The student has regular six-monthly reports/meetings to monitor progress. In addition, they present their work at laboratory and departmental meetings and at the annual divisional Graduate Students' Research Symposium. The Symposium is organised jointly with the Division of Immunology, Infection & Inflammatory Disease (DIIID) and provides an experience of a high profile scientific meeting with an internationally renowned keynote speaker, oral presentations, posters and awards for best posters and presentations. The Symposium is organised by a team of graduate students, which gives this meeting a unique quality and demonstrates a creative potential of our students.