Susceptibility to infection: What part do genes play?
What role does the human genome play in susceptibility to infection? How do genes influence the multiplication of viruses and our defences against them? The RESIST team is tackling these questions – so that we can better predict how severe an infection is likely to be for a given individual and thus reach conclusions on the best treatment for him or her. Furthermore, people who are especially at risk for infection can be protected at an early stage – by vaccination, for example.
This can be crucial for furvival of some individuals infected by the cold virus RSV. For example, RSV can cause severe to life-threatening respiratory infections in young children.
Varicella zoster and herpes simplex viruses may also cause serious diseases, such as shingles or encephalitis.
RESIST will also explore the genetic causes of severe congenital immune deficiencies. In many cases, it remains unclear which genetic defects cause these deficiencies and why the immune system does not respond effectively. Bacteria and fungi are for example able to cause severe infection in people with a genetically determined susceptibility to infection.