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Hive of Conflict

Created | 2025

This hive of activity reveals swarms of immune cells attacking the small intestine in coeliac disease. Like a disturbed beehive, the immune system wrongly targets the gut when triggered by gluten.

Using cutting-edge spatial omics, researchers can map these immune cell interactions across the different stages of disease – from healthy tissue to inflammation – offering unprecedented detail into how coeliac disease begins, progresses and resolves.

Coeliac disease affects over 370,000 Australians, causing disabling symptoms and often going undiagnosed. Left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including cancer.

By understanding key shifts in this immune dance, researchers aim to transform how we detect and manage coeliac disease – improving health outcomes and quality of life.