Digestive diseases researchers at Imperial are exploring:

• Liver failure: All forms of liver failure are accompanied by increased susceptibility to infection arising from immune paresis. Using both ex-vivo and animal model approaches enables the mechanism of the immune defects to be identified and then potentially to be addressed as novel therapeutic approaches. 
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): The prevalence of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease are increasing globally. Despite a plethora of immune targeted monoclonal inhibitors which improve symptoms and reduce disease severity, there are no cures for IBD. Understanding the immunopathology of this condition, particularly by focussing on the interaction of the mucosal innate immune system with the gut microbiome may identify key mechanisms appropriate for therapeutic intervention.