Microbiome, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation |
The focus of research in this group is the inflammatory mediators that drive inflammation in lung diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sarcoidosis. Our projects investigate the mechanisms leading to the development of disease, the identification of novel biomarkers of inflammation and the evaluation of new potential treatments. The investigators provide complementary expertise, including basic science and clinical investigation.
Current projects
Specific projects include:
- analysis of microRNA expression by nasal epithelial cells to predict patients with COPD who are likely to experience frequent exacerbations
- identification of novel biomarkers in blood and exhaled breath of patients with sarcoidosis
Other potential projects:
- evaluation of novel treatments for acute lung injury (in collaboration with Prof. Nicodemus Tedla)
Highlighted publications
- Mousapasandi A; Herbert C; Thomas P, 2021, 'Potential use of biomarkers for the clinical evaluation of sarcoidosis', Journal of Investigative Medicine, 69, pp. 804 - 813, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jim-2020-001659
- Chen Y; Kumar RK; Thomas PS; Herbert C, 2019, 'Th1/17-biased inflammatory environment associated with COPD alters the response of airway epithelial cells to viral and bacterial stimuli', Mediators of Inflammation, 2019, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/7281462
- Chen Y; Thomas PS; Kumar RK; HERBERT CRISTAN, 2018, 'The role of non-coding RNAs in regulating epithelial responses in COPD', AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY, http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajplung.00063.2018
- Chan YL; Wang B; Chen H; Ho KF; Cao J; Hai G; Jalaludin B; Herbert C; Thomas PS; Saad S; Oliver BGG, 2019, 'Pulmonary inflammation induced by low-dose particulate matter exposure in mice', American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 317, pp. L424 - L430, http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajplung.00232.2019
- Chia N; Kumar RK; Foster PS; Herbert C, 2018, 'Enhanced Pro-Inflammatory Response of Macrophages to Interleukin-33 in an Allergic Environment', International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 176, pp. 74 - 82, http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000487573
Our experts
Cristan Herbert - Group Leader
I am an Education Focussed academic in the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS), within the Faculty of Medicine & Health . My current research focusses on the use of novel digital technologies to enhance student engagement, motivation and success. I am also involved in ongoing research to identify mechanisms that promote inflammation in lung disease including COPD and sarcoidosis. Additionally, I am interested in the identification of biomarkers which may have potential for diagnosis and/or monitoring the progression of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Team members
Collaborators
Research theme