Research
The role of autophagy in virus pathogenesis
With Tom Wileman (Quadram Institute Bioscience) and funded by a BBSRC project grant (one PDRA), I am studying the influence of non-canonical autophagy (LC3-associated phagocytosis, LAP) on virus pathogenesis and the development of inflammation. This uses KO and conditional KO mice models combined with viruses expressing cre recombinase to dissect out the influence of different autophagy pathways and cell types. With a joint PhD studentship, we have generated preliminary data showing that LAP-deficient mice are more susceptible to flu infection and are mapping the changes in the innate and adaptive response
Innate host-defence function in the respiratory tract
BPIFA1/SPLUNC1 is secreted into the mammalian respiratory tract. I have established model systems for studying SPLUNC1 function using knockout mice, conditional/inducible KO mice and 3D tracheal epithelial cultures (mTEC). I have shown that SPLUNC1 restricts influenza virus infection by reducing binding and entry of influenza virus into cells (Mucosal Immunology). I have also shown that, unexpectedly, SPLUNC1 plays a critical role in the generation of virus-specific immunity (antibody and CD8 T cells) and hence immunity to re-infection. RNAseq and high-resolution label-free quantitative proteomics followed by informatics has revealed pathways and molecular signatures associated with SPLUNC1 action. Funded by a BBSRC grant (one PDRA), and supported by two PhD students, I am now identifying SPLUNC1 binding partners and assessing the function of SPLUNC1 (and associated signatures) in immunity against re-infection. SPLUNC1 may therefore have therapeutic potential.
Development of novel diagnostics and vaccines for poultry viruses.
With Hussein Ahmed (Cairo, Egypt) and Mohammed Munir (Pirbright Institute) and funded by a Newton Fund Institutional Links grant (one PDRA) I am developing novel rapid multiplexed diagnostics and multi-valent vaccines for viruses that cause significant welfare and economic impact in Egypt – specifically avian influenza, Newcastle disease and IBV.
Research grants
New G2P
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
December 2023 - November 2027
Understanding host interactions with high consequence pathogens using super resolution light microscopy in biocontainment
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
August 2022 - July 2023
Preclinical research of therapeutics from DNDi against Sars-CoV2
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
September 2020 - March 2023
G2P-UK: A National Virology Consortium to address phenotypic consequences of SARSCoV-2 genomic variation
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2021 - July 2023
Repurposing approved drugs as potent antiviral combinations to treat COVID-19 disease
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2022 - December 2024
Mohammed Abdullah M Alsayer - Bench Fees
ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA CULTURAL BUREAU IN LONDON (UK)
October 2020 - September 2023
Abdullah Ali A Alshamrani - Bench Fees
ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA CULTURAL BUREAU IN LONDON (UK)
October 2020 - March 2025
Financial Sponsorship - Mr Abdulrahman Fahad A Alrezaihi
ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA CULTURAL BUREAU IN LONDON (UK)
December 2019 - May 2024
Preparing for disease X, the next pathogenic respiratory viruses: the development of cross-reactive nanobodies for diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of coronavirus infections
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
April 2022 - January 2026
Mechanically induced lung injury in critical care (Sondus Al Aidarous 201210174 - Research Support Fees)
ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA CULTURAL BUREAU IN LONDON (UK)
October 2017 - September 2020
Effective Diagnostics and Novel Vaccine Strategies for the Control of Multiple Respiratory Viral Infections in Egyptian Poultry
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY (BEIS) (UK)
April 2018 - February 2021
The role of LC3-associated phagocytosis during virus infection
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2018 - September 2021
Targeting the RNA helicase, UAP56: Understanding KSHV RNA Processing Mechanisms to Novel Antiviral Approaches
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2018 - March 2022
BPIFA1: from anti-viral peptide to immunomodulator
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2018 - April 2022
Bench fees Sanaria Al-Katy
ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA
October 2015 - September 2019
Research collaborations
En-Min Zhou
Hepatitis E Virus
Northwest A&F University
Hepatitis E virus
Mohammed Munir
Poultry Vaccines
University of Lancaster
Poultry Vaccines
Hussein Ahmed
Poultry Vaccines
University of Cairo
Poultry Vaccines
Adrian Whitehouse
Herpesvirus drugs
University of Leeds
Herpesvirus drugs
Colin Bingle
Respiratory tract infection
University of Sheffield
Respiratory tract defence
Simon Carding
Mucosal Vaccines
Quadram Institute
Mucosal Vaccines
Tom Wileman
Viruses and autophagy
Quadram Institute
Viruses and autophagy
Ralph Tripp
University of Georgia, Athens, USA
Host response to Influenza virus
George Russell
Moredun Research Institute
Pathogenesis of Malignant Catarrhal Fever
Anja Kipar
University of Zurich
Molecular pathology of virus infections