BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESTISSUE REPAIR UNITMain Research Goals and ThemesThe tissue repair unit is examining the mechanisms regulating cell-cell
and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions particularly of the
serosal mesothelium and lung interstitium, and how a loss of regulation
of the normal repair processes can lead to disease. Studies are centred
on understanding how interaction of cells with other cells, growth
factors and different components of the ECM lead to cell proliferation,
migration, invasion, differentiation and collagen production. The focus
is in two areas: 1) understanding the mechanisms underlying mesothelial
healing and the role of the mesothelial cell and mesothelial stem cells
in the formation of post-operative adhesions, serosal fibrosis and
malignant mesothelioma, and 2) understanding how lung injury can lead to
the development of fibrosis, in particular the role of interleukin-6
family cytokines. Tissue Repair Research ProjectsThis unit is interested in the healing processes that are initiated with
inflammation and how these become deranged in disease. The unit uses
cell and molecular biology to explore the world of cell differentiation,
apoptosis, integrins and cytokines. Specific interests are mesothelial
cell biology in the context of injury, repair and malignant growth as well as lung
fibrosis.
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