Paediatric Allergy Research Group
The main research interest of the Paediatric Allergy Research Group is gastrointestinal allergic conditions. The group's research focuses on achieving a better understanding of the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal allergic diseases (especially of non IgE-mediated food allergic diseases). It is anticipated that this will contribute to the development of non-invasive or minimally invasive diagnostic tools and new therapeutic strategies; possibly through dietary intervention, inducing tolerance and potential preventing food allergy.
Additionally, the group aims to raise awareness and develop strategies for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of allergy to promote patient care, experience and safety in every environment.
The group consists of experts in different areas; from immunologists and nutritionists to public health specialists within Glasgow and beyond. Ongoing work spans from pre-clinical mechanistic studies to clinical intervention trials.
Updated 4/7/25
Research Contacts
Dr George Raptis
Dr George Raptis is an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant in Paediatric Allergy, based at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow. George's main interest is to understand further the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal allergy in children. Better understanding of the microenvironment of the gastrointestinal mucosa and mechanisms of allergy will enable researchers and clinicians to develop means to prevent or induce immunological tolerance. Additionally, he is striving to develop a model of care for allergic patients that aims to consider each stage of the allergic disease continuum and propose a number of strategies to provide consumer-focussed, best care. Dr Raptis is committed to contributing to the development of research in this field in order to alleviate the impact of allergies on sufferers.
Professor Konstantinos Gerasimidis
Professor Konstantinos Gerasimidis is a Professor of Clinical Nutrition. Professor Gerasimidis leads a clinical and laboratory research team which explores the role of gut microbiota and its interaction with diet in the onset and management of disease. He has a strong interest in exploring the effect of habitual diet, elimination diets and artificial nutritional support on the gut microbiota of children and adults with inflammatory bowel disease. His laboratory team holds in-house expertise in characterising the microbiota composition and functionality using in-vitro human gut simulators, analytical methods and molecular microbiology. He is leading a cross-disciplinary research group with a special interest in Bacteria, Immunology, Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Omics (BINGO) group. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/medicine/research/humannutrition/thebingogroup/
His work is funded by various charities (e.g. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Crohn’s Colitis Foundation, Jon P Moulton Charity, Crohn’s and Colitis UK), research councils in UK (e.g. Medical Research Council), the National Institute of Health Research in the UK, industry (e.g. Nestle) and health professional bodies (e.g. European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation) and the Scottish Enterprise. More information about Professor Gerasimidis can be found here https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/medicine/staff/konstantinosgerasimidis/
Professor Simon Milling
The lab work of Professor Simon W Milling focuses on dendritic cells and macrophages in the intestine and on how these cells respond to infectious or inflammatory stimuli, using samples from both mice and humans. The aim of this work is to understand the roles that these cells play, both in controlling immune responses against pathogens, and in the pathology of inflammatory diseases. This knowledge is applied to the study of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including axial spondyloarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and alopecia areata. The aim is to use this information to find improved ways to manipulate the immune system, to safely control inflammatory pathology, or to activate protective responses.
Updated 15/8/23