Professor Anne O'Garra FMedSci FRS

Anne O’Garra studies the control of immune responses effected by cell–cell interactions and proteins known as cytokines. Anne first discovered that the cytokine interleukin-10 suppresses antigen presentation and limits production of inflammation-promoting cytokines by the immune system’s dendritic cells and macrophages. She discovered that dendritic cells produce interleukin-12, which mobilises T cells to fight intracellular pathogens. Although the balance between suppression by interleukin-10 and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines is critical for preventing host damage, it can also lead to chronic infection.

Using a transcriptomic approach Anne recently uncovered pathways underlying the immune response in tuberculosis, revealing mechanisms of pathogenesis and potential approaches for improved diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Consequently, Anne’s work has the potential to open up new preventative and therapeutic treatments for inflammatory and infectious diseases, including tuberculosis.

In addition to being a Fellow of the Royal Society, Anne was also elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and as a Member of EMBO, the European Molecular Biology Organization.

Professional position

  • Head, Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Infection, The Francis Crick Institute
  • Associate Research Director, The Francis Crick Institute

Subject groups

  • Molecules of Life

    Molecular immunology

  • Health and Human Sciences

    Medicine, clinical studies

  • Other

    Public understanding of science, Science policy, Scientific information provision

Professor Anne O'Garra FMedSci FRS
Elected 2008
Committees Participated Role
Sectional Committee 7: Cell Biology December 2017 - October 2019 Chair
Sectional Committee 7: Cell Biology December 2016 - November 2017 Member
Commonwealth Science Conference Grants Committee July 2016 - June 2017 Chair
Planning and Resources Committee November 2015 - December 2018 Member
Sectional Committee 7: Cell Biology December 2010 - November 2013 Member