The UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation (IIT) is an internationally renowned centre of excellence based at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London. The most significant building development at the hospital in 40 years, the centre’s first phase was opened in June 2013 and a new state-of-the-art research facility, the Pears Building, was completed and handed over on 1st of June 2021.
The Institute’s research activity across the fields of immune tolerance, immunotherapy and inherited disease is undertaken with the aim of developing new diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions to benefit patients both locally and globally. For example, IIT aims to develop vaccinations, gene therapy and cell therapy to enhance immunity in patients with cancer and chronic infection, and to induce tolerance in autoimmune diseases. The IIT’s life-changing work also improves the success of kidney and liver transplants.
Indeed, the IIT work has never been more timely and significant, at a time when the importance of the immune system and vaccines are playing an essential role in the effort to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic.
This world-class centre supports hundreds of patients and researchers as one of UCL’s largest projects. In recognition of the N Sethia Foundation’s significant support for the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, one of the institute’s three floors will be named the Chitra Nirmal Sethia Floor.
Photo credit: Janie Airey Hopkins