A number of Principal Investigators within Cell Physiology and Pharmacology are members of the Respiratory Sciences Research Theme (including Professor John Challiss, Dr Christine Pullar, Professor Andrew Tobin, Dr Catherine Vial and Dr Gary Willars). The University of Leicester has a deserved international reputation in respiratory research with genuine strengths in both basic and clinical research in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cough and other respiratory diseases. The Theme also contributes substantially to the Institute for Lung Health (ILH) and has strong and developing links with basic and clinical respiratory scientists at the University of Nottingham through RSCEM (Respiratory Science Collaboration – East Midlands). The Theme is led by Professor Andrew Wardlaw (Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation) with Professor John Challiss acting as co-lead.

A central question being addressed by members of the theme is what is the pathogenesis of environmentally-driven lung disease? Theme members come together to address this question from a diversity of perspectives, encompassing fundamental molecular and cellular investigations, through to clinical, epidemiological approaches. The diseases that the theme currently studies are the airway diseases asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis (a common form of obstructive lung disease), and lung disease associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Theme will measure its success in terms of increasing the number of publications in high impact journals, increasing external research income, and, most importantly, making new observations that will have a significant impact on the welfare of people with respiratory disease.

For more information on research interests, techniques, research groups and funding, please click the links below:

Professorial

Professor John Challiss

Lecturers

Dr Catherine Vial