Current projects

• stimulation and inhibition of asthmatic and non-asthmatic airway smooth muscle cell proliferation
• airway wall remodelling - mechanisms and effect of therapeutic interventions
• b-agonist and corticosteroid interactions on human airway smooth muscle function
• human airway smooth muscle cell production of extracellular matrix / matrix metalloproteinases, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and integrins
• flow cytometry of adhesion molecules on human airway smooth muscle and inflammatory cells
• effect of respiratory viruses on cellular function
• role of angiogenesis in airway remodelling
• intracellular calcium signalling in contraction, relaxation and proliferation
• mast cell mediators and airway smooth muscle functions
• effect of cytokines on human airway smooth muscle
• airway smooth muscle production of mast cell chemotaxins
• production of cytokines by human T-lymphocytes
• production of cytokines by human airway smooth muscle cells
• mechanisms of action of sphingosine 1-phosphate, a new inflammatory mediator in asthma
• effect of b-agonists on cytokine gene expression in human airway smooth muscle cells
• inflammatory and smooth muscle cell interactions
• morphometry of airway wall structure
• the role of extracellular matrix remodelling, by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), in the progression of malignant mesothelioma and fibrotic lung diseases
• examination of the proliferative profile of fibroblasts obtained from various fibroproliferative disease of the lung eg lung fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emphysema.
• measurement of plasma concentrations of inhaled corticosteroids in human volunteers
• in vitro assessment of steroid effects on potential target cells such as osteocytes and skin fibroblasts
• models of steroid potency on cytokine release
• optimisation of asthma management through pharmacist intervention
• the role of the pharmacist in asthma management
• the quality use of respiratory medication
• respiratory device technique
• nebulizer and metered-dose inhaler use for b agonists
• patient choice in drug therapy - pharmacoeconomic analysis
• models of best practice in Clinical Pharmacy