Primary interest: B cell repertoire analysis, and molecular events involving the immunoglobulin gene during B cell development. Combining traditional molecular biology techniques with novel mathematical analyses to devise new ways of investigating the humoral immune system.

Research into ageing: Loss of immune system function with age results in the phenomenon termed “Immunosenescence.” This is associated with increased infectious disease morbidity and mortality, poor responses to vaccination, declines in established protective immunity, and increased incidence of autoimmune disorders. Until recently, most age-associated immune failures had been attributed to changes in T cell populations. However, there are many other changes in the immune system and, as data accumulate to show that B cells have a critical role in antigen presentation and regulation - in addition to their role as antibody producers - B cells and humoral immunity becomes highly significant.

High throughput analyses of B cell repertoire are used to investigate dynamics of vaccine responses and age-related changes thereof, primary and secondary immune deficiencies, aetiology of leukaemia/lymphoma, autoimmune diseases.