Immunology research within the group explores how adaptive immune systems are organised and diversified across vertebrate species. Using comparative and computational approaches, work in this area investigates how immune repertoires evolve and function across different evolutionary contexts.

Current research combines single-cell transcriptomics with paired T cell receptor sequencing to characterise the diversity and functional organisation of T cell populations, with a particular focus on chickens as an evolutionarily distinct model system. Special attention is given to unconventional immune cell populations, including γδ T cells and innate-like αβ T cells, which remain poorly understood outside mammalian systems.

The project also investigates technical challenges associated with single-cell immune profiling, including the identification of genuine receptor diversity versus sequencing artefacts. By integrating datasets across species, this work seeks to identify conserved and species-specific principles underlying adaptive immunity.

Overall, the research links receptor architecture, cellular function, and evolutionary biology to better understand how vertebrate immune systems are structured and maintained.