
Professor Deena Gibbons
Associate Dean for Postgraduate Taught Studies
- Professor in Early Life Immunology
Research interests
- Immunology
Biography
Dr Deena Gibbons is a Professor in Early Life Immunology and & Associate Dean PGT in the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King's College London.
Research

Gibbons Group
Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely and 1 million die as a consequence. My lab focuses on understanding immune cell development and function in human neonates, including both those born at term and prematurely. We have identified novel T cell effector functions in neonates and factors that affect immune cell development post birth. We have ongoing research in both areas. These studies will promote our understanding of the developing immune system in human infants to identify those more at risk from inflammation and infection and subsequently reduce infant mortality - a current NHS target and huge health burden.

INSIGHT-2
Mechanistic Studies into Pregnancy Complications and their Impact on Maternal and Child Health

PISA: Prenatal drivers of infant ISlet Autoimmunity
As childhood onset of T1D becomes more prevalent, there is an increasing need to understand how early life exposures could influence the development of the child and predispose to the development of autoimmunity.
News
Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy impacts the developing immune system of the fetus
New research from King’s suggests COVID-19 infection in the mother alters the immune system of the baby in utero.

Babies born prematurely can catch up their immune systems, study finds
Researchers from King’s & Homerton University Hospital have found babies born before 32 weeks’ gestation can rapidly acquire some adult immune functions after...

Research

Gibbons Group
Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely and 1 million die as a consequence. My lab focuses on understanding immune cell development and function in human neonates, including both those born at term and prematurely. We have identified novel T cell effector functions in neonates and factors that affect immune cell development post birth. We have ongoing research in both areas. These studies will promote our understanding of the developing immune system in human infants to identify those more at risk from inflammation and infection and subsequently reduce infant mortality - a current NHS target and huge health burden.

INSIGHT-2
Mechanistic Studies into Pregnancy Complications and their Impact on Maternal and Child Health

PISA: Prenatal drivers of infant ISlet Autoimmunity
As childhood onset of T1D becomes more prevalent, there is an increasing need to understand how early life exposures could influence the development of the child and predispose to the development of autoimmunity.
News
Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy impacts the developing immune system of the fetus
New research from King’s suggests COVID-19 infection in the mother alters the immune system of the baby in utero.

Babies born prematurely can catch up their immune systems, study finds
Researchers from King’s & Homerton University Hospital have found babies born before 32 weeks’ gestation can rapidly acquire some adult immune functions after...
