Biography

I am head of the Respiratory Immunopharmacology Group investigating mechanisms and biomarkers of lung inflammation in patients with cystic fibrosis and novel strategies to improve inhaled drug delivery in these patients and patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. We are developing novel inhibitors of neutrophil elastase, a key mediator of tissue damage in the lung, particularly inhibitors based on heparin and non-anticoagulant heparin derivatives. Other research within the group investigates the role of coagulation factors in bronchial epithelial damage and repair in normal and asthmatic airways; endothelial dysfunction and the links between inflammatory markers and oxidative stress markers.

Research interests

• Mechanisms of lung inflammation, tissue damage and repair in cystic fibrosis
• Development of novel mucolytics and new therapeutic applications for heparin
• Mechanisms of epithelial repair in asthma
• Mechanisms of inflammatory cell recruitment and its pharmacological manipulation
• Key research grants obtained in the last 10 years include the Dunhill Medical Trust, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust,  the BBSRC/MoD and Asthma UK