Infection, Inflammation and Immunity Division

The Infection, Inflammation & Immunity (I3) Division is one of four Research Divisions within the Centre for Trials Research (CTR).

The Infection, Inflammation & Immunity (I3) Division is one of four Research Divisions within the Centre for Trials Research (CTR). The Division complements research themes and Divisions both across the School of Medicine and College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, and comprises a large portfolio of trials and other well-designed studies in the areas of infection, inflammation, and immunity.

Research expertise

Current areas of specialism include:

infectious diseases
vascular disorders
immune-mediated inflammatory conditions

We also have growing portfolios of research in sexual health and global health, both of which crosscut with the Population Health and Social Care Division.

Across these areas, we design, conduct, analyse, report, and disseminate research which uses innovative and efficient designs and aims to:

understand causes and impact
evaluate interventions which focus on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management

We collaborate with both investigators ranging from those internal to the CTR to those based internationally. We have expertise in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of trials and other well-designed studies and are regularly involved in successful applications for external research funding across a range of different funders (including charities, public bodies such as the MRC, Health and Care Research Wales, and NIHR, as well as to industry).

Strategic focus

By designing and conducting high-quality innovative, efficient, and inclusive research that answers critical questions, we aim to improve the prevention, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of people with infectious diseases, vascular conditions, and immune-mediated inflammatory conditions across society. We will:

source funding across a broad range of funding bodies
consolidate expertise and learnings across our portfolio to design and run large-scale platform trials and other innovative and efficient trials within our areas of strength
work with investigators and collaborators with whom we have existing relationships to design and conduct impactful trials
establish new collaborations with investigators across Cardiff University, Wales, and nationally / internationally (including other Health and Care Research Wales groups)
explore opportunities for cross-Divisional research (e.g. antimicrobial stewardship for people undergoing cancer treatment, inflammatory conditions in the brain)
build on our learning from the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine work to expand into vaccine trials and focus more generally on infection prevention
grow our existing portfolio of international and global health studies
collaborate with industry by designing and delivering studies in partnership with drug and diagnostic companies and the UK and international health sector in general

Collaboration with Chief Investigators

We have an open-door policy for prospective Chief Investigators. While we have areas of specialism, we welcome collaborative opportunities that span all areas of infection, inflammation, and immunity. Experience is not a pre-requisite; enthusiasm and a collaborative attitude are more important. In addition to established Chief Investigators with existing portfolios of research, we strongly support the development of future research leaders and welcome good ideas no matter their initial scale nor the proposing Chief Investigator’s current level of experience.

In the first instance, please get in touch with one of the Divisional Directors (contact details below).