Respiratory Cellular and Molecular Biology

Respiratory Cellular and Molecular Biology

The Respiratory Cellular and Molecular Biology Group investigates what goes wrong at a cellular and molecular level in chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis.

Researchers analyse the genetic and molecular control of disease processes using a bio-bank of tissue samples taken from people with respiratory diseases. Using novel in-vitro models, cells are then grown from donated lung tissue to discover why these changes occur. Armed with this knowledge, the Group seeks to discover new respiratory disease treatments and make existing ones better. An example of a research project is looking at a way to make bronchodilators work better for people with asthma. The Group is also interested in understanding why respiratory viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID), influenza or rhinovirus can lead to the development of lung diseases, and also why the same infections can cause lung diseases such as asthma to exacerbate.