RCUK Academic Fellow to discuss microbial pathogens, immune system at Henry Wellcome Building

The Frank May Prize Lecture 2010 will be given by Dr Russell Wallis, speaking on microbial pathogens, and will be on Wednesday 1^st December 2010, 5.30pm, in the Frank and Katherine May Lecture Theatre, Henry Wellcome Building (Lancaster Road), University of Leicester.

Dr Wallis, Reader and RCUK Academic Fellow in the Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, and Department of Biochemistry, will speak on: "Fishing for Complement: Innate targeting of microbial pathogens".

The immune system uses two main weapons to counter invading pathogens: adaptive immunity, including the production of antibodies, which develop over time to target pathogens; and innate immunity, which is ever present and recognizes conserved parts of pathogens, such as their cell walls.

The complement cascade provides a vital bridge between innate and adaptive immunity by destroying invading cells and helping to stimulate an effective adaptive immune response.

Because of its pivotal role, complement dysfunction is associated with a range of human diseases, including severe bacterial infections and autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.