A new research centre, led by the University of Birmingham and funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), will focus on developing innovative therapies for immune-mediated diseases (IMIDs). The MRC Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) in Restorative Immunology aims to achieve lasting freedom from these conditions, which can cause chronic pain and lifelong disability.
IMIDs, such as inflammatory arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, occur when the immune system attacks healthy tissues. It is estimated that over four million people in the UK are affected by these conditions, for which there are currently no cures.
The CoRE in Restorative Immunology will receive £50 million in MRC investment over the next 14 years. A team of scientists, clinicians, and patient research partners from eight universities, including the University of Birmingham and Kyoto University, will collaborate to understand the causes of these diseases and develop new treatments.
The centre will use advanced technologies to map tissue changes during disease development, build models of human tissues, and develop precision treatments. The goal is to create therapies that can restore the immune system and damaged tissues to a healthy state, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for lifelong medication.