Hosts, Pathogens and Global Health (360G-Wellcome-218492_Z_19_Z)

To solve the problems of neglected and emerging diseases an integrated approach to infectious disease biology is needed. We must understand the biology of the pathogen and its interaction with the host, immune mechanisms that contribute to disease outcome, and the ecological and epidemiological factors that determine disease spread. If the future leaders in global health are to exploit knowledge of the full range of pathogen and host interactions, from core molecular processes to understanding host-pathogen interactions in the field, including co-infections, zoonoses and evolutionary dynamics, coupled with an appreciation of the wider societal context, we must prepare them from the outset of their PhD. Since establishment in 2016 the Wellcome Trust “Hosts, Pathogens and Global Health” programme has developed a unique interdisciplinary and international research training structure providing expertise spanning infectious disease biology from molecular to evolutionary and epidemiological scales. Our key goals are: \- To train a cadre of infection biologists skilled in interdisciplinary approaches to disease control and well versed in the opportunities of quantitative, theoretical and experimental approaches. \- Use the community and mentorship ethos within Edinburgh and between our international partners to build a life-long supportive network of next-generation researchers working across disciplines to combat infectious disease.