Tracy Hussell

Professor Tracy Hussell is Professor of Inflammatory Disease and Director of the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation at the University of Manchester. She leads research in respiratory immunology and inflammation within the Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester's Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Immunology from University College London (1994)
• B.Sc. (Hons.) in Applied Biology from Nottingham University (1989)
• OND in Science from Worcester Technical College
• Certificate of Advanced Studies in Learning and Teaching from Imperial College London (2002)

Professor Hussell's research focuses on immunological homeostasis in the respiratory tract, investigating how lung innate immunity is maintained and regulated by the local microenvironment. Her internationally competitive program examines factors expressed by respiratory epithelium that regulate innate immunity, the impact of genetic deletions on immune activity, and the unique phenotype of alveolar macrophages. She also studies consequences of altered homeostasis following acute inflammation or during allergy, using models for influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and other pathogens. Her work on novel pathways of innate immune regulation includes TAM receptors, IL-33/ST2L, IL-10 receptor, TGF-beta receptor, micro-inhibitory RNAs, CD200, and TREM1/2.

Analysis of Professor Hussell's recent publications reveals a strong focus on macrophage biology and its role in respiratory diseases, with particular emphasis on circadian regulation, COPD, kidney immunity, and post-infection tissue remodeling. Her research spans basic immunology through to clinical applications, including the COVSurf trial for severe COVID-19 treatment, demonstrating her commitment to translating fundamental discoveries into therapeutic interventions.

Professor Hussell has received significant recognition including FRSB (Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology) and holds numerous editorial positions:

• Editor of Viral Immunology since 1999
• Editor of Microbes and Infection since 2001
• Editor of Immunology since 1999
• Associate Editor of Mucosal Immunology since 2007

She has supervised 28 research students and leads multiple grant-funded projects including the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre. Professor Hussell serves on numerous committees including as Trustee and Education Secretary of the British Society for Immunology since 2007, MRC NC3Rs panel member, and Chair of the Research Council of Norway. She has been active in public engagement, providing expert commentary on Monkeypox, COVID-19 regulations, and individual reactions to the pandemic through BBC Radio Manchester, LBC News, and other media outlets.

Professor Hussell directs the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, a major research center at the University of Manchester focused on understanding immune mechanisms in health and disease. Her team collaborates extensively with pharmaceutical companies including GSK, UCB Celltech, and others to develop novel therapeutics with reduced infectious risk compared to current treatments.