Mucosal immunology: from bench to the bedside and beyond

This paper, written by the President of the Society for Mucosal Immunology, marks the 9th International Congress of Mucosal Immunology, in Sydney: Mucosal Solutions. Current molecular, cellular and animal work in mucosal immunity has great potential when applied to issues of human and animal health. However, practical and technical problems in the transfer of theoretical concepts into clinically based research must not be underestimated. Ideally, studies in disease need to be designed and run jointly by clinicians and scientists, as illustrated by examples drawn from Crohn's disease. Ethical aspects of research in mucosal physiology and disease are challenging, but not insurmountable.