Mechanisms of gastrin-CCKBR/gastrin-annexin II signaling as indicators for non-invasive health monitoring during aging

In addition to erythrocytes and leucocytes, blood is known to contain cells of endothelial origin from a range of tissues. Many such cells express proteins, such as the peptide hormone gastrin, together with its cognate receptors CCKBR and Annexin II that are involved in tissue homeostasis, and whose activity is associated both with health AND disease. Key to understanding their utility as health biomarkers is a mechanistic understanding of normal and abnormal signaling of such biomarkers. This project aims to use novel filtration technology developed by Asstrimmune, together with expertise in cell signaling and imaging in the Smythe Lab, to develop a highly sensitive biological detection system by which changes in signaling outputs in cell circulating in blood, may be used for the identification of critical change points in aging, indicating a need for further intervention. The project will include a placement at Asstrimmune, Mansfield.