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The regulation of host defences to infection by the microbiota
Speaker: Tom Clarke
The environmentally exposed surfaces of mammals are colonised by large communities of symbiotic bacteria (the microbiota). These bacteria are a major regulator of host immunity and their disruption is associated with diseases and immune dysfunctions in both intestinal and extra-intestinal tissues. Dysfunctions affecting extra-intestinal sites include cancer, autoimmunity, and increased susceptibility to infection. The overall goal of my research is to provide a mechanistic understanding of how the microbiota regulates host defences to infection outside of the intestine. In this talk, I will give and overview of how the microbiota regulates host resistance to infection by respiratory pathogens and describe the mechanistic basis for these effects.