The Developing Immune System: Growing Strong or Going Wrong?

We’re dedicated to improving lifelong health through excellent research into the long-term consequences of early life events. Our vision is 'a healthy start for a healthy life'. You can get involved by joining a clinical trial, coming to an event, making a donation or simply sharing the research going on at the Liggins Institute with your networks.

Liggins Institute

How the immune system’s early development shapes lifelong health, and what happens when things go off track — from infections to long COVID.

The Liggins Institute

The immune system is essential for protecting our bodies, yet its development is a complex process that begins in early life. From birth, the immune system builds its defences, influenced by factors like genetics, environment, and early exposures. So what are the key building blocks of immunity, and how can we support its development? Can we “boost” immunity, and what does that actually mean?In this talk, Liggins Institute Associate Professor Gergely Toldi and Senior Research Fellow Anna Brooks will explore how the immune system develops and the critical concept of immune tolerance — the body’s ability to distinguish between harmful invaders and its own cells. They will also discuss inflammation and its role in both immune defence and chronic diseases.The speakers will also discuss immune-mediated diseases, including long COVID, and the cutting-edge methods being used to study the immune system and develop new treatments.Rohan Botica, co-founder of DysImmune Research Aotearoa, will also share his personal experience of living with post-viral illness (ME/CFS) and how immune dysfunction can have long-lasting effects.Join us at 6pm on Thursday 3 April for a fascinating evening. You’re warmly invited to stay for drinks and nibbles afterwards.

About the speakers Dr Gergely ToldiDr Gergely Toldi (above left) is an Associate Professor in neonatology at the Liggins Institute. His research primarily focuses on early life development of the immune response and understanding the immunological background of complications affecting preterm and term neonates as well as pregnant women. In his clinical role, he works as a consultant neonatologist at Starship NICU. Dr Anna BrooksDr Anna Brooks (above centre) is a Senior Research Fellow at the Liggins Institute, where she leads a research programme focused on immune dysfunction and its impact on human health, particularly the long-term effects of infections. As a cellular immunologist and flow cytometry specialist, she utilises advanced cell analysis technologies to investigate immune cell complexity and function. Anna aims to explore how altered immune cell function, influenced by the interconnected immune, metabolic, and nervous systems, contributes to health and disease. Rohan BoticaRohan Botica (Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) (above right) is a lived-experience researcher and co-founder of DysImmune Research Aotearoa.

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

The Developing Immune System: Growing Strong or Going Wrong?

More events from Liggins Institute

Discover more events from Liggins Institute, from Health to other experiences you might love.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Auckland and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

The Developing Immune System: Growing Strong or Going Wrong?

More events from Liggins Institute

Discover more events from Liggins Institute, from Health to other experiences you might love.

More Health events

Browse more Health events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Auckland and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.