Immunity in Health & Disease

Lead

Laura Sly

Researchers with the Immunity in Health & Disease Group are focused on improving our understanding of healthy immune responses and how the immune system contributes to immune-mediated diseases in children.

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Immunity in Health & Disease News See all

Study reveals surprising link between malnutrition and rising antibiotic resistance

A new study by Dr. Paula Littlejohn discovers the connection between a lack of crucial micronutrients and the composition of gut microbiomes that could increase antibiotic resistance.

Continue reading Study reveals surprising link between malnutrition and rising antibiotic resistance

Dr. Paula Littlejohn, driven to succeed

Dr. Paula Littlejohn is a postdoctoral research fellow co-supervised by Dr. Michael Kobor and Dr. Bruce Vallance at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute. Her research is aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the goal of developing new treatments.

Continue reading Dr. Paula Littlejohn, driven to succeed

Vaccine safety and equity: Q&A with Dr. Julie Bettinger

For National Immunization Awareness Month we spoke to Dr. Julie Bettinger about her work and how her interest leads to a lifelong dedication to preventing infections and improving vaccine literacy.

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New study shows pathogenic bacteria use a sugar in the intestinal mucus layer to infect the gut

A new study by Dr. Bruce Vallance and his research team shows pathogenic bacteria use sialic acid, a sugar derived from mucus, to fuel infection and disease in the gut.

Continue reading New study shows pathogenic bacteria use a sugar in the intestinal mucus layer to infect the gut

Rescued from the rubbish bin: How the thymus could stop organ transplant rejection

Dr. Megan Levings has been a pioneer in the world of immunology. Now, her research on the thymus, often discarded during pediatric heart surgery, as a source of very specialized immune system could transform the field of organ transplantation. A world-first clinical trial is underway in Spain.

Continue reading Rescued from the rubbish bin: How the thymus could stop organ transplant rejection

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