Characterisation and effects of exposure to environmental air pollution on susceptibility to pneumococcal infection
Supervisors
DR Caroline Weight, Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University
Prof Crispin Halsall, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University
Prof Gary Hardiman, School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast
Dr Alexandre Benedetto, Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University
Summary
The bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), kills 1,000,000 people every year. For pneumococcal disease to occur, the pneumococcus must cross the nasal lining. The nasal epithelium represents the first protective barrier in preventing disease and plays an important role in controlling pneumococcal clearance.
Respiratory disease is higher in areas with high pollution. If the nasal barrier is damaged following exposure to environmental pollutants, then infection outcomes are exacerbated. 4.2 million deaths/year are attributable to outdoor (particulate matter), and indoor (nanoplastics/microplastics) pollution with plastic absorption predicted as a leading cause of health complications by 2050.
The molecular processes involved in understanding these processes remain undefined due to the complexity of interactions in vivo and lack of physiologically relevant models in vitro.
Here, we will leverage state-of-the-art airway-on-chip technology to mimic the human environment. Human nasal epithelium will be exposed to environmental pollutants to determine molecular mechanisms of susceptibility to pneumococcal infection. The project will identify protective innate immune mechanisms, inform new therapeutics and increase awareness of environmental impacts from pollutants.
The student will learn microbiology, cellular and molecular immunology, bioimaging, microfabrication, bioinformatic analyses and analytical techniques. The student will benefit from multidisciplinary mentorship from Chemical, Biomedical and Systems Biology Scientists. The student will work independently and as a team, develop critical thinking, communication and translational skills, providing essential future employment skills.