Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research | The Westmead Institute for Medical Research

The Westmead Institute for Medical Research's Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive autoimmune, viral and neurological diseases, with the ultimate goal of developing effective preventive strategies or treatments that cure the disease.

Diseases we research

Amyloid Disease (Light chain and Transthyretin Amyloidosis)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Motor Neurone Disease)
Antibody-driven autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sjogren’s Syndrome)
COVID-19
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Coeliac Disease)
Influenza and other causes of sepsis and pneumonia
Immune contributions to psychiatric disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. dermatitis/eczema)
Spinal cord injury
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Tumour Immunology

Our research themes include:

We study all aspects of immunological disease, especially the effect of cellular and genetic regulation of the immune response. Our basic, translational and clinical research aims to understand how the above diseases develop and progress, to better design therapeutic approaches to manage them.

Research Teams

Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Group

We research the underlying mechanisms behind neurodegenerative disorders such as motor neuron disease, frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as neuromuscular diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Immunogenetics Group

Our aim is to find tools to personalise therapy, and to develop new therapeutic approaches to treat autoimmune and other diseases.

Neuroinflammation research group

Our research investigates the immune component in some psychiatric diseases, including how to identify these patients and provide them with treatment.

Autoinflammatory Diseases Group

The autoinflammatory group brings together immunologists, gastrointestinal specialists, and colorectal surgeons, to investigate why autoinflammatory diseases occur and design novel ways to prevent and treat these debilitating diseases.

Precision Genomics in Intensive Care Medicine Group

Our aim is to apply state-of-the-art genomics technology to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from critical illness conditions, e.g. sepsis, severe pneumonia and influenza infection.

Autoimmunity & Amyloidosis Group

Our research uses genomic and proteomic technologies to investigate the underlying cause of autoimmune and amyloid diseases to improve diagnostic and precision medicine approaches.