Pharmaceutical Cell Biology
The Pharmaceutical Cell Biology Group is a multi-disciplinary group comprising of Biologists and Pharmacologists from several disciplines, but with common research interests, cell signalling and cell biology, especially of immune cells and inflammatory reactions.
The groups are internationally-recognised for their work on receptor signalling mechanisms. Much of the cell biology research from these members of the group is performed either in the recently refurbished labs in PHA, or in the newly created, purpose-built Biomedical Research Centre (BMRC), which is a JIF-funded state-of-the-art research institute housing biomedical research from the Schools of Pharmacy, Biology and Medicine.
The group have developed strong collaborative links with the Schools of Biology (BIO), Medicine (MED) and Chemistry (CHE) as well as Pharmacy. Collaborations with other members of Pharmacy faculty (for example ocular pharmacology and drug delivery, cell biology and medicinal chemistry), and together with colleagues in Biology and Medicine, the groups form an integral part of the centres of distinction for research into mechanisms in cancer, immunity & inflammation, and cardiovascular disorders.
The key research themes of the group are to investigate, understand and control:
- Inflammation processes in human diseases (such as in septic shock or retinitis)
- Chemotaxis
- Cell-cell communication mechanisms
- Mechanisms of carcinogenesis
- Cellular mechanisms of antioxidant behaviour
Our research is at the forefront of understanding basic biological questions and relating these findings to human disease, as jusdged by our attracting grant funding from highly competitive sources such as the Wellcome Trust, BBSRC, MRC, EU and various cancer charities, as well as a range of projects funded by pharmaceutical industries. We also run very successful postgraduate degrees (MSC, PhD and MD) and we always welcome enquires from prospective postgraduate students.
- Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor signalling mechanisms
- Apoptotic and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in cancer
- Cytokine receptor inflammatory responses and molecular mechanisms
- Chemokine receptor signalling mechanisms
- G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) function
- Novel GPCR detection methods
- Inflammatory gene control of macrophage and monocyte function
- Control of antioxidant genes in normal and diseased states
- Changes in inflammation processes in chronic inflammatory conditions such as septic shock
- Cellular mechanisms underlying retinal damage and glaucoma
- Involvement of purinergic and energy-sensing processes in ocular disease
- Antioxidant mechanisms underlying ocular damage
- Investigating signalling pathways that promote the development and progression of malignant melanoma.
- Understanding how signalling pathways alter the bioenergetic properties of cancer cells.
- Development of novel treatment strategies for malignant melanoma