Prof Eleanor Riley

Our work concentrates on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunity to infection, with a longstanding interest in anti-malarial immunity. We study the immunological consequences of malaria infection in endemic and non-endemic populations, conducting immuno-epidemiological studies of the relationship between defined immune responses and acquisition of clinically protective immunity, and relate these observations to data from experimental model systems and in vitro studies. We also conduct research oriented to the development and evaluation of anti-malarial vaccines.

A major aspect of our ongoing work is the immunobiology of Natural Killer cells.

Current projects include (i) the contribution of Natural Killer cells to the induction and effector phases of vaccine-induced immunity, (ii) mechanisms of activation of NK cells by malaria infected red blood cells, (iii) differentiation and maturation of NK cells in UK and African populations, (iv) phenotype and function of NK cells in patients with myalgic encepahlitis/chronic fatiigue syndrome.

Current collaborations include:

Imperial College, London: modelling of immune responses
Medical Research Council Laboratories, The Gambia: studying cellular immune responses to vaccination.
ICDR Kampala, Uganda: the immunology and seroepidemiology of malaria in areas of diverse malaria transmission.

Research areas

Human genetics
Immunisation
Innate immunity
Parasites
Protozoa
T-cell immunology
Vaccines
Viruses