The Institute for Infection and Immunity is populated by investigators with expertise in the areas of:

• Host-pathogen interactions
• Immunology and host defense
• Vaccine development
• Outcome studies in clinical infectious diseases
• Clinical studies in patients with HIV/AIDS

This translational research ranges from laboratory based and preclinical investigation to phase IV clinical trials. Specific areas of research include:

• Pathogenesis of infections due to
  • Candida
  • Aspergillus
  • Mucorales
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Streptococcus
• Corneal wound healing
• Antimicrobial peptides
• Host microbiome
• Host cell invasion
• Therapeutic antibodies
• Vaccines against fungi and bacteria
• Membrane protein-lipid interactions
• Antiretroviral therapy
• Urinary tract infections
• Skin and soft tissue infections

Members of this group have developed the first fungal vaccine to succeed in a clinical trial. This vaccine is also in phase II testing for prevention of Staphylococcus aureus colonization and skin and soft tissue infection in military recruits.