Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Français Contact UsHelpSearchCanada Site
CIHR HomeAbout CIHRWhat's NewFunding OpportunitiesFunding Decisions
CIHR | IRSC
CIHR Institutes
III Home
About III
Who We Are
What We Do
Financial Overview
III Funding
III Partnerships
III Showcase
III Publications & Resources
III Calendar of Events
Contact III
 
III > About III

Institute of Infection and Immunity (III)

About III

When it works well, the human immune system is a magnificent thing that protects us from infectious disease. Recent advances in health research have significantly increased our understanding of the relationship between infections and our body's immune defences. Diseases that involve or affect the human immune system are, however, still a major health concern for many Canadians. Well-known autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis and type-1 diabetes are on the rise. Emerging diseases such as BSE (Mad Cow Disease) fuel media headlines. Mysterious new infectious diseases such SARS and the Avian Flu appear to be only a plane ride away.

As the boundaries that separate communities and individuals become increasingly blurred, there is a compelling need for an Institute dedicated to studying how our immune systems succeed or fail, how infections emerge and spread, and how we can best prevent and treat these diseases in order to reduce the burden they place on human health in Canada, and beyond.

The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) supports research and helps to build research capacity in the areas of infectious disease and the body's immune system. Through the Institute's programs, researchers address a wide range of health concerns related to infection and immunity including disease mechanisms, disease prevention and treatment, and health promotion through public policy.

Through a virtual, global network of researchers, stakeholders and partners the III plays an important role in generating and disseminating information on infectious disease and immunity. In addition, the III plays an important leadership role on infectious disease issues in Canada, including helping to coordinate Canada's rapid research response to infectious disease outbreaks, especially those caused by new, emerging pathogens.

Created: 2003-05-22
Modified: 2003-12-17
Print