The increasing global population and an aging demographic means that the world faces immense challenges in health. Communicable diseases cause significant mortality in developing countries, while non-communicable immune diseases such as asthma, diabetes and cancer are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Coupled to these, we are threatened by new and re-emerging pathogens, such as the recent outbreaks of SARS and highly pathogenic pandemic influenza. There is a lack of effective treatments and an urgent need for new intervention strategies.

Our collaborative work in the Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions aims to identify and develop novel drugs by studying the molecular mechanisms of specific diseases. CResTS aims to provide a cohesive force for the continued growth of research discovery, development and delivery in Biomedical Sciences; building upon the national and international standing of individuals and groups in the area of immune-therapeutics.

CResTS is in the unique position of having expertise in molecular virology, vaccine development, cancer biology, gene discovery, chemical drug design and validation in its current Academics. The core team has established capacity to draw large-scale funding from national and international industry, government and philanthropic foundations.

CResTS builds on the current research strengths in the Faculty of Applied Science and existing research linkages with the Faculties of Health (pharmacology) and ISE (biostatistics, genomic analysis, affective computing, computational intelligence and knowledge discovery). CResTS aims to provide the necessary foundations for fostering new inter-Faculty and wider collaborative ventures within the theme of immune-therapeutics and provide a catalyst to bring together researchers in multi-discipline teams in a collegiate environment to work on innovative & strategic projects.

Ian Ramshaw

CResTS