Macrophages and the Microbiome in Respiratory Disease

Alveolar macrophages patrol the airways and actively phagocytose microorganisms. In chronic airway disease, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) there is evidence of selectivity of macrophages, with some potential pathogens being phagocytosed more readily than others. Such selectivity provides a direct link between the airway microbiome and innate immunity and may explain differences in both the microbiome composition that characterise complex
respiratory diseases such as COPD and also infections from potential pathogens which are carried by most people harmlessly.
In this project the student will develop a macrophage phagocytosis assay using metabolomics approaches and apply it to clinically relevant bacteria isolated from respiratory tract samples. They will use DNA sequencing to characterise the microbiome and how it alters during this model of macrophage predation. They will receive training in data analysis and in interdisciplinary translational research. Professor Elizabeth Sapey and Dr Kylie Belchamber will supervise the clinical
and innate immune aspects of the project along with Dr Amanda Tatler who in addition will supervise application of the assay to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and brings expertise in models of infection. Dr Michael Cox is the primary supervisor and will supervise the microbiome and data analysis aspects of the project.