Heterologous immunity to Epstein-Barr virus: dissecting the role of cross-reactive CD8 T cells in mediating disease outcome in children, young adults and the elderly.

Viral infections, and the associated tumours and disease that they cause, are a major source of economic and social burden in Europe. There is an urgent need to understand the basic mechanisms behind their pathogenesis to accelerate the rational design of vaccines and therapeutics. The training of highly skilled immunologists is vital to support this process.