Ian Pavord's research in to airway inflammation has resulted in mepolizumab being identified as an effective inhibitor of eosinophilic inflammation and asthma attacks. Mepolizumab is currently in Phase III clinical trials and if found to be effective could be a promising treatment for certain asthma patients.
\n \n\n \n \nVideo microscopy aims to improve target discovery and drug development and to do so generates large volumes of data. Fluorescence labelling helps make intrinsic cellular functions visible and computational tools then enable analysis of these data sets to improve our understanding of cellular functions.
\n \n\n \n \nMembrane proteins are the gateways to the cell: many nutrients, ions, waste products, and even DNA and proteins enter and leave cells via proteins which are tightly controlled, maintaining the integrity of the cell. Drugs often target membrane proteins; therefore, understanding their molecular structure helps us design better drugs to cure diseases.
\n \n\n \n \nRespiratory medicine encompasses a large number of common diseases like pneumonia, asthma, emphysema and lung cancer. Outcomes are currently relatively poor and the area of research is underfunded. Recent progress have been made towards personalising treatment, and Dr Rahman's research aims at improving patient care.
\n \n\n \n \nIn the context of cancer, genetic diversity means that we respond differently to various treatments. Pharmacogenomics sits at the intersection between genetics and drugs. Better understanding of the genetic landscape of cancer and the recent increase of targeted drugs allow us to better match patients with the best treatments, improving care.
\n \n\n \n \nClinical trials in gastroenterology bring cutting edge care to patients in the clinic. Researchers in the Translational Gastroenterology Unit look at individual targets of treatment, and also at specific timing of treatment with the aim to change the pattern of chronic life-long disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
\n \n\n \n \nWhile drugs were initially developped by testing natural products directly in humans, the current approach is to use chemical probes. These are small chemical coumpounds that inhibit selected targets, avoiding side effects. Professor Knapp produces structures of molecular targets and makes them widely available. This will allow a faster and more cost effective development of new drugs.
\n \n\n \n \nGrowth factors and signals are fundamental to many diseases. A single point mutation in the DNA coding for a bone morphogenetic protein is responsible for the development of FOP, a very debilitating disease where muscles are progressively turned into bones. Understanding these mechanisms allowed the selection of a drug, currently used to treat cancer, that may possibly be repurposed to treat FOP.
\n \n\n \n \nProtein structures are powerful tools in the development of medical drugs, but they are not very accessible to non-specialists. Research informatics presents these structures more simply and interactively, and helps scientists make decisions. This will hopefully accelerate the development of new medicines.
\n \n\n \n \nUnderstanding how an infection spreads is vitally important for prevention. Whole genome sequencing of microorganisms allows us to construct family trees of infections, from donnor to recipients, and understand how microbes behave in general. Through its genetic code, we can also predict whether a germ is susceptible or resistant to a specific antibiotic, and give patients a more stratified and personalised treatment.
\n \n\n \n \nIn the process of drug discovery, X-ray crystallography is the most sensitive way to find out which compounds bind to a target protein. Recent advances in technology allow researchers to test many more compounds, much more rapidly. The ultimate aim is to bring much needed new treatments to patients.
\n \n\n \n \nThe burden caused by Alzheimer\u2019s disease and other dementias represents one of the biggest problems for our healthcare systems. The last medicine was approved in 2002 and today we only have symptomatic treatments. ARUK-ODDI brings together chemists, biologist, psychiatrists and neuroscientists, many of them with pharmaceutical background, aiming to accelerate the discovery of novel and effective treatments.
\n \n\n \n \nIn the search for new medicines for cancer or inflammatory disorders, small molecules are invaluable tools for testing the activity of possible target proteins. Those small chemical compounds can also affect the morphology and phenotype of cell samples collected from patients, opening the possibility to develop new therapeutics.
\n \n\n \n \nDrugs and treatments for inflammatory diseases are scarce and often induce major side effects. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing inflammatory diseases would allow us to develop new drug and treatments, at great benefit for both patients and the NHS.
\n \n\n \n \nAsthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are very common conditions that affect the lives of many people. A better understanding of the inflammation, genetic makeup and disease pattern, as well as response to various treatments, will ultimately allow doctors to offer personalised treatments to patients.
\n \n\n \n \nRecombinant protein expression in host cells such as bacterial or insect cells facilitates the production of large amounts of proteins, which can be used for crystallisation to obtain the protein structure, or in cellular assays to look at their function. Collaborations with partners such as academics, industry and patient groups aim to find compounds that can be developed into potential drugs.
\n \n\n \n \nAlteration of gene expression is fundamental to many diseases. A better understanding of how epigenetic proteins affect diseases provides a starting point for therapy development and the discovery of new drug. We hope that this area of rersearch will ultimately provide leads to finding new treatments for dementia.
\n \n\n \n \nFind out how a multidisciplinary team of scientists came to create England's new way to identify how to fight and track TB outbreaks using DNA analysis.
\n \n\n \n \nA missing step in a metabolic pathway leads to the build-up of toxic compounds, and the lack of materials essential for normal function. Therapeutic options are currently limited: diet supplements or restrictions, or organ transplantation. Professor Yue studies the shape and function of these defective enzymes, in order to eventually develop new small molecule drugs.
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