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Research

Metabolic dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet modulates hematopoietic stem and myeloid progenitor cells in brown adipose tissue of mice

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) may be an important metabolic regulator of whole-body glucose. While important roles have been ascribed to macrophages in regulating metabolic functions in BAT, little is known of the roles of other immune cells subsets, particularly dendritic cells (DCs). Eating a high-fat diet may compromise the development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs)-which give rise to DCs-in bone marrow, with less known of its effects in BAT. We have previously demonstrated that ongoing exposure to low-dose ultraviolet radiation (UVR) significantly reduced the 'whitening' effect of eating a high-fat diet upon interscapular (i) BAT of mice.

Research

UV exposure and protection against allergic airways disease

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the small and large conducting airway mucosa characterised by Th2 cell immunity.

Research

Identification and Isolation of Rodent Respiratory Tract Dendritic Cells

This chapter describes the preparation of respiratory tract tissue from both mice and rats for the isolation of respiratory tract dendritic cells (RTDC).

Pregnancy and Early Life Immunology

The Pregnancy and Early Life Immunology team's overall research vision is targeted towards understanding immunological development during early life.

Research

Early biomarkers predictive of autism

This study aims to investigate the cellular and molecular profiles of the immune system in infants at high/low risk for Autism, as determined through clinical assessment.

Research

Epigenetic changes underpinning allergen sensitization: a twin-based study

We are studying immune cells from identical twins of which one suffers and one does not suffer from allergic disease to identify specific mechanisms that may play important roles in disease development.

Research

Finding the cellular explanation for recurrent asthma exacerbations

This study is designed to identify the specific unique immune cell response that occurs in these children with recurrent disease.

Research

The cellular effects of estrogen on allergic asthma

The study aims to identify the mechanism for this so that this knowledge can be used to better treat asthma and allergies in both males and females.

Research

Mechanisms of IgE sensitization

This project investigates how cells of the immune system respond to substances to cause allergies to help develop new treatments.