Immunology

The Department of Immunology is part of the School of Pathology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Its research strengths centre on HIV immunology, including natural killer cell dynamics, elite controllers, paediatric slow progression, immune exhaustion and immune restoration with early antiretroviral therapy. Work on functional cure models and host-virus interactions supports this focus, alongside HIV-associated malignancies, vaccine-preventable diseases and SARS-CoV-2 immunity in people living with HIV.

Further themes include multiplex diagnostics for HIV and tuberculosis and infection-driven immune dysregulation, with the research directed at therapeutic and vaccine strategy development. The publication data show a focus on South Africa and related regional and global health priorities.