The incidence of immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and infections caused by microorganisms resistant to current therapies is increasing, necessitating a coordinated multidisciplinary scientific and healthcare response. At the same time, harnessing the immune system is emerging as a powerful therapeutic approach for preventing and treating infections, immune diseases, and cancer. These research themes are integrated into the strategic research program Infection & Immunity (I&I)
Research themes strategic research program I&I (click to enlarge)
Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance are rising worldwide. With the decline in newly developed antimicrobials over the last decades, untreatable bacterial infections have become a realistic scenario in many parts of the world. At I&I, we study infection biology and pathology and model infectious diseases to develop effective public health interventions, enable early detection, predict disease spread, and guide treatment strategies like vaccination. We also contribute to collecting real-world trial data, developing new clinical trial methods, and establishing a European clinical trial network to better evaluate new antimicrobial agents and immune therapies for infectious diseases. This helps guide new (and non-antibiotic) treatment protocols, shape public health policies, and foster the development of next-generation therapeutics, significantly improving the global response to infectious disease outbreaks and pandemic preparedness.
IMIDs encompass over 30 chronic diseases affecting virtually every organ. About 5-7 percent of the population suffers from an IMID, making this class of diseases a significant healthcare problem. Some IMIDs are iatrogenic or infectious, but most have an unknown etiology. At UMC Utrecht, we study the regulation and dysregulation of the immune system across different diseases in multidisciplinary teams. To understand disease, we also strive to understand how a healthy immune system develops from newborn to elderly. Integrated studies of the immune system will allow for the classification of patients based on the underlying mechanism for IMIDs. Optimal treatment of patients with diseases resulting from failing or derailed immunity and/or infection requires a shift from typically “organ-driven” to a personalized “immune activation pattern-driven” approach.
Furthermore, we leverage our knowledge to harness the immune system in the prevention and treatment of inflammation, infection, and cancer. By combining our fundamental knowledge of immunology with clinical expertise, we design and study novel immune-mediated therapies, including vaccines, biologicals and cell-based therapies. To accelerate clinical implementation, our scientists collaborate with industrial partners, such as biotech and pharmaceutical companies, or develop their discoveries through spin-off companies, maximizing clinical impact of early discoveries.
The program aims to contribute to solutions for these diseases with large societal impact, focusing on tertiary patient care, strong research facilities, strong connections in the region and beyond, continuous response to new developments, and an effective talent policy.