Combating infectious disease

We support and facilitate research to understand the emergence, transmission, pathogenesis and control of acute and chronic infectious diseases at the global level. We support a broad portfolio of research on infectious diseases, both in humans and in animals, and have a longstanding commitment to tropical medicine and public health research. We promote interdisciplinary collaboration between physicians, veterinarians and scientists.

We work to engage the public in this area and to explore the impact of political, cultural, ethical and social contexts on infectious disease.

A mosquito (Anopheles stephensi) full of blood. This is the vector for malaria in India. Credit: Hugh Sturrock, Wellcome Images

Clusters of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. Credit: Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images

Dr Helen Lee demonstrating a rapid DNA dipstick test for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

Clostridium difficile on gut lining. Credit: University of Cardiff, Wellcome Images

Female sand flies, the vector for the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

The award-winning Routes website.

Examples of our funding

The following examples illustrate the work we have funded to help improve our understanding of infectious disease.

Burden of disease To help define the burden of disease our Major Overseas Programmes support research into diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, TB and HIV and their impact on the local and international populations. The collaborative Malaria Atlas Project provides a comprehensive description of the epidemiology and burden of the disease worldwide.

Pathogen emergence and transmission We promote research on novel and re-emerging pathogens and infectious diseases such as work that has implications for the control of the healthcare-acquired infection C. difficile, outbreaks of which have been widely reported in hospitals and other settings.

Better tools, products and devices Our funding leads to the development and uptake of practical and affordable technologies and interventions, such as a new vaccine for TB that has entered phase IIb clinical trials, and the production of a Chlamydia Rapid Test for diagnostic use in low- and middle- income countries. Through our Translation Award funding we are supporting the development of an improved diagnostic test for the equine strangles bug, which could help vets identify infected horses more quickly than is currently possible.

Understanding the social context

Our activities explore the social context of the control of infectious diseases. For example, our publication of Big Picture on Influenza provides educators with background to the viruses causing the disease and how the H1N1 swine flu variant compared to previous strains. As a part of the Routes website, the online game 'Sneeze' helps players to learn how quickly viruses can spread through populations.

Policy and practice

Counterfeit medicines represent a major threat to public health, particularly in low- and middle- income countries. The Trust and the American Pharmaceutical Group organised an opinion formers' conference between multiple stakeholders to draw out consensus on the key issues and, most importantly, to identify ways in which the problem can be tackled.

For full information on this challenge, see our Strategic Plan 2010-20. Details of the support we provide to researchers can be found in Funding.