Cell Biology

The focus of our research is regulation of molecular mechanisms of inflammatory responses, and includes analysis of receptor function and of events underlying control of signalling networks.

Work on receptor function is centred on events controlling Toll-like- and IL-1 receptor (TIR) activation. Recent studies are focused on a novel IL-1RI co-receptor (TILRR), a potent amplifier of IL-1-induced inflammatory responses, which was recently identified by the group. We are currently carrying out a variety of projects to understand the molecular mechanism underlying its function and to determine its role in disease.

Projects on signal transduction are focused on analysis of the NF-κβ pathway, and on molecular events controlling its activation. We are interested in regulatory mechanisms induced by soluble mediators such as cytokines and growth factors, and activation through mechano-transduction, as well as signalling crosstalk and the role of matrix structure and the cytoskeleton in network control.

Analysis of NF-κβ signal transduction has included development of analytical approaches for single cell analysis, using GFP-based methods. We are currently using these data as the basis for developing computational models of signalling networks in collaborative projects, to gain further understanding of the critical events determining cellular responses at the molecular level.