For more than three decades, the research of my laboratory has focussed on the Immunobiology of dendritic cells (DC). These are the cells, first identified as such by Ralph Steinman, which play pivotal roles in the triggering and regulation of many types of immune response. Our current research is principally focussing on: (i) a novel family of tick-derived molecules which modulate the activity of DC and which may have therapeutic potential for treatment of autoimmune diseases, for example; and (ii) the surprisingly predictable immunological properties of a large family of inorganic crystalline materials, called layered double hydroxides, which we believe may have the potential to be incorporated as ‘designer’ adjuvants into intelligent vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases.