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Inflammation and the associated immune response are central to the host defense against infection. They are also implicated in diverse states ranging from atherosclerosis to gut disease (Crohn's disease) and聽cancer, and an increasingly common and important target for therapeutic modulation. Inter-individual variance in response to noxious challenges (e.g. pathogens and trauma) and frequently employed drugs, likely contributes to disease states such as sepsis and the immune dysfunction following major surgery. Despite this, we are yet to fully characterize and integrate patient's immunophenotypes into their care, or monitor immune competence in the clinical setting.
Using experimental models of acute inflammation in healthy volunteers () and in disease (), we are exploring the molecular and biochemical pathways that underlie immune variance and dysfunction. We are additionally seeking to develop new techniques, methods, tools, and devices to quantify leukocyte functionality (). The techniques we are developing are being widely used in academia and industry and we believe these techniques聽will lead to personalized medicine strategies that improve healthcare outcomes.
People involved:
Prof Richard Day
Prof Derek Gilroy
Dr James Fullerton
Joao Oliveira (GSK funded PhD student)