About us
The immune system evolved largely to protect the body from infectious agents. A sophisticated immune system means that humans can fight infection more effectively. However, it also increases the risk malfunctions that cause damaging inflammation. These malfunctions include autoimmune diseases, where the immune system reacts against oneself. Autoimmune diseases affect more than 5% of the population - and other chronic inflammatory diseases are equally important in human health and disease.
Research in The Monash University Centre for Inflammatory Diseases (CID) spans basic experimental biology, clinical research and clinical practice in inflammatory diseases. We use both clinical and laboratory based experimental techniques to explore the mechanisms of inflammatory injury in important human diseases - and then relate these to unmet needs in patient treatment and management. Researchers within the Centre are expert in laboratory based and clinically focused research. Researchers work in critical areas in both infectious diseases and damaging inflammation. Our research is in areas as diverse as the basic biology of health and disease, through to helping people with disease manage their illnesses better and be treated with better and safer treatments.
We work on autoimmune diseases, including vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's Syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Causes of liver, kidney and lung scarring and loss of function are a focus, as are how infection and inflammation influence white blood cells and their movements into tissues. At a more basic level, researchers in the theme work on how inflammatory processes may be linked to cancer, as well as the protective and damaging effects of the first responders to infection and inflammation.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Centre is to undertake research at the highest standards into the mechanisms of immune/inflammatory disease of man to define their immunopathological basis so that new therapeutics can be developed on the basis of clear understanding of disease processes.
Aims & objectives
- To conduct clinical and laboratory research targeting critical gaps of knowledge regarding the immunopathogenesis of important human inflammatory diseases.
- To form a critical mass of compatible scientists and clinician researchers to collaborate, value-add and translate insights from our own and other research to clinical applications.
- To share infrastructure and provide a focus for discussion and education between members of Centres and with colleagues within the University and collaborators and relevant key scientists nationally and internationally.
- To foster the career paths of talented younger clinical and basic scientists in academic and research endeavours.
- To collaborate with clinical colleagues to enhance the quality of clinical care and ensure translation of research developments into better clinical outcomes.
- To engage in science and medical undergraduate program to stimulate and engage undergraduate students and improve educational outcome.