A healthy immune system is an effective immune system. We’re discovering what it takes to keep our immune cells fighting fit to improve overall health and wellbeing.
Our research focuses on what makes key cells in the immune system tick, and how we can optimise their performance through interventions like diet or immunotherapy, to boost their function whether it be fighting cancer or infection.
There are many different approaches when it comes to immune health. Our approach is through the gut. With more than 70% of our immune system located in our gut, it’s a prime target for understanding how immune cells interact with their environment through the foods we eat and find opportunities improve immune health.
Like any other working cell in the body, immune cells need energy to function. The types of foods we eat influence how well immune cells can fuel themselves, which in turn affects their function.
We’re investigating the effects of different metabolites – or energy sources –on the performance of immune cells and their function.
Research highlights
Marsden Fund for research on the impact of fever on immune cell function
3 November 2021
Malaghan Institute seeking volunteers for clinical study to investigate the effect of Chinese herbal medicine on human health
11 June 2021
Study finds a high-fibre diet can improve immune response to vaccines
18 November 2021
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