Virus-specific T cells constitute an essential line of defence during viral infection and both an impaired or exacerbated T cell response are detrimental to the host. We are interested in understanding how T cells contribute to protective immunity and/or immunopathology during viral infection, particularly in the context of dengue and zika virus infections, and more recently in COVID-19. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for the development of effective vaccines and immunomodulatory therapeutics. 

Natural Killer (NK) cells are important players in acute viral infections. NK cells respond rapidly and their role is to contain the virus infection while antigen-specific T cells and neutralizing antibodies are generated and can clear the infection. We are interested in understanding the mechanisms through which NK cells exert their function and the interplay between NK and T cell responses. 

We collaborate with scientists and clinicians at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) in Singapore, Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, the North Bristol NHS Trust in Bristol and the Bristol Vaccine Centre, UK.