Institute of Immunology & Infection Research

Schistosomiasis is a snail-transmitted disease that affects millions of people in the tropics. Dr. Andrew MacDonald of 3IR is interested in characterising immune responses induced by worm antigens, such as proteins on the surface of the paired adult male and female Schistosoma mansoni worms shown here (with the darker female lying within the gynacophoric canal of the larger male worm). Image courtesy of the Cambridge schistosomiasis group.

Welcome to 3IR

The Institute of Immunology and Infection Research (3IR) was formed in August 2004 as a new research-intensive focus within the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Edinburgh. Although newly-formed, progenitors of 3IR through the years have compiled a distinguished research record. Currently, the Institute comprises nearly 20 independent principal investigators with a combined research grant income of just over £10 million, including funds through 7 Programme Grants from the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council. The research interests of 3IR scientists span immunology and infection biology from the level of the molecule to that of the population.

3IR shares its building, Ashworth Laboratories, with the Institute for Evolutionary Biology (IEB), providing a crucial interdisciplinary link. To enhance this union of different disciplines we are now establishing the Wellcome Trust Center for Immunity infection and Evolution. Altogether, the two Institutes in the Ashworth complex contain more than 280 people. The Ashworth Laboratories currently consists of 3 interlinked buildings: Ashworth 1, opened in 1929, housesteaching, lecture theatres, and offices; Ashworth 2, opened in 1967, provides the majority of laboratory facilities; and Ashworth 3, opened in 2004, offers state-of-the-art laboratories for a Centre for Immunology and Infection Biology. The Ashworth Labs accommodate a centralised DNA sequencing facility using an ABI 9600 capillary sequencer, and 3IR-operated Flow Cytometry, pathogen imaging and Caesium Source Facilities which offer newly-installed sorting and analytical capabilities as well as live pathogen and fixed-sample confocal imaging resources. Biological facilities are considerable and match the complexities of the systems under study: for example, a suite of new insectaries have been opened this year. To provide a forum for scientific discussions, 3IR runs its own seminar programme, intercalated with city-wide Edinburgh Immunology Group meetings. In addition, within 3IR, joint lab meetings and journal clubs are held on a weekly basis to maximise interactions at both the conceptual and practical levels.

3IR has a strong postgraduate community (typically 25-30 PhD students), around 25 technicians and graduate research assistants, and 20 postdoctoral scientists employed in leading research projects. Staff at 3IR contribute to a broad range of teaching within the University especially at the honours level where staff organise the final-year undergraduate Immunology Honours and offer modules to Biotechnology, Genetics. Microbiology & Infection and Zoology Honours. In addition, staff teach on 2nd and 3rd year courses including Immunology, Parasite Biology and Microbiology. For details, please visit the Biology Teaching Organisation website.

3IR places great emphasis on career development and particularly welcomes younger scientists embarking on independent, externally-funded research projects such as Career Development Awards or Senior Fellowships. The majority of permanent academic staff at 3IR joined us on external support of this nature. We also operate an open-access policy for equipment and general facilities, promoting a science-driven ethos based on innovation and interaction.