The scope of our research in this department includes the elucidation of the molocular interactions between pathogens and the host that are necessary for the establishment of infectious diseases, molecular recognition of self and non-self by the immune system, and modulatory mechanisms of host defence systems. Understanding the molecular bases for such processes will be applied to the development of novel approaches for preventing or controlling infectious diseases and immune disorders. The department is composed of several groups working on bacterial infection, viral infection, host-parasite relationships, molecular and cellular immunology, mucosal immunity, compromised host genetics and developmental gene regulation. Although each research group has particular interests in either the pathogen or the host, their research is not limited to one or other of these biological systems. Rather, their research covers a wide range of dynamic interactions between microbes and the host in the development of infectious diseases and the distinction between self and non-self in inmmune systems. Our department has been successfully promoting basic research in the area of infection and immunity in collaboration with many other groups in this and other countries. In addition, we have actively engages in promoting collaborative projects with various groups in pharmaceutical companies and clinical laboratories for the development of drugs, vaccines and immunobiomaterials. The growing concern in emerging and reemerging infectious diseases demands further support of the basic research that we have developed in our department. Our department, as one of the pioneering groups in our country, strongly endeavours to promote and expand our research activity, our collaborations with other groups engaged in studies of infection and immunity, and the training and professional development of young independent investigators through studies in the department.