Research
Pancreatitis, often caused by gallstones or excessive alcohol consumption, is a common and serious disease with a rising incidence worldwide. Approximately one in five pancreatitis cases are severe, requiring extended ICU care, often months in hospital and potentially leading to chronic conditions or death. Unfortunately, there are limited treatment options and no effective drugs for pancreatitis, necessitating a deeper understanding, better predictive measures and novel innovative treatments, especially for severe cases.
My previous research has shown that mitochondria play a pivotal role in exacerbating pancreatitis. Investigating how mitochondria contribute to the severity of acute pancreatitis in different settings could unlock valuable diagnostic tools and treatments for not only this disease but a range of other potentially devastating acute inflammatory conditions such as sepsis or polytrauma.
Mitochondrial Injury in the Pathogenesis of Acute Pancreatitis
Investigating the mitochondrial mechanisms of cellular injury and the role of extra-pancreatitic mitochondrial dysfunction using novel CRISPR-Cas9 generated experimental pancreatitis models by confocal fluorescence microscopy, single-cell transcriptomics and cutting-edge digital image analysis application. Evaluation of novel biomarkers for prognostication in acute pancreatitis (secreted Cyclophilin A, circulating miRNA and mtDNA).
Translational Drug Discovery Pipelines for Acute Pancreatitis
Development of novel small molecule Cyclophilin D inhibitors through the full translational cycle from target identification and novel in-silico and in-vitro inhibitor development, progressing to multiplexed functional in vitro and in vivo assay assessment of efficacy. Promising candidate inhibitors identified and envisaged to extend into early phase trials in the future.
Clinical Research in Acute Pancreatitis
PI for a number of acute pancreatitis clinical trials (RAPID-I, MAP-I) and advocate of the utilisation of precision medicine approaches to improve outcomes in acute care surgery.
Research grants
Drug discovery to inhibit cyclophilin D as a treatment for acute pancreatitis
LAP RESEARCH (UK)
September 2022 - August 2024
Subcutaneous Debio 025 in experimental acute pancreatitis
EA PHARMA CO.LTD. (JAPAN)
October 2020 - July 2021
Mitochondrial signalling pathways in the pathogenesis of acute necrotising pancreatitis
THE ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (UK)
February 2014 - January 2016