The Centre for Inflammation Research (CIR) aims to promote the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases through interdisciplinary study of the initiation, regulation and resolution of inflammatory responses and provision of an outstanding environment for research training in the field. CIR investigators aim to characterise and manipulate key control points in inflammation. We focus on inhibiting the initiation of inflammation by blocking immunologically specific triggers and by modulating cellular and tissue responses to injurious stimuli; finding new approaches to promote beneficial regulation of established inflammatory responses so as to limit tissue injury; promoting safe resolution of inflammation and restoration of the structure and function of the perturbed tissue. We have particular interest in inflammatory diseases of the lung and kidney but the principles derived will have ready application to inflammatory responses in the liver, bowel, bone/joint and skin. There is also increasing development of research in the CIR into the links between inflammation and cancer.