Meet the Consortium
Swansea University
Our Swansea University groups have expertise in pregnancy immunology and toxicology, led by Principle Investigators Professor Cathy Thornton and Professor Martin Clift, respectively.
Swansea Immunology Research Lab (SWIM)
The Thornton research group studies immunological adaptation in pregnancy and antenatal determinants of immune health in childhood. This includes a focus on climate change and the impacts of air pollution, plastic pollution and extreme heat on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Analysis of blood via various techniques is a core research approach and this underpins a quest for novel blood-based diagnostics for pregnancy disorders.
In Vitro Toxicology Group (IVTG)
Within the IVTG, the Clift group focus upon creating advanced in vitro cell systems of the lower airways, utilising next-level exposure approaches with state-of-the-art biochemical and microscopic techniques. The objective is to elucidate clear mechanisms of action related to realistic exposure of multiple air pollutants in order to determine clear exposure-concentration dependent functions, as well as structure-activity hazard relationships to inform towards potential mechanisms of intervention and legislation regarding exposure to air pollutants, both outdoors and indoors.
The University of Manchester
Our University of Manchester groups have expertise in developmental biology, led by a series of Principle Investigators and clinical academics fellows.
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The Ruane research group focus is on how defective implantation contributes to infertility and pregnancy complications. Both mouse models and organoid models are utilised to investigate how events at implantation can lead to developmental programming effects on offspring health.
Imperial College London
Ryan’s research group studies the immune system of the human respiratory tract, incorporating studies of natural viral infections and 'challenge' studies in healthy adults. These challenge studies included non-infectious human models of innate immune activation (such as Toll-like receptor agonists), allergens and experimental human infection models with respiratory viruses such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19). These studies furthered the development of non-invasive techniques for sampling the airways, including the development of nasosorption as a tool for studying respiratory viral infections in children. Ryan has developed an interest in the interaction between common airway exposures, such as pollutants, and respiratory infections, particularly in high-risk groups.
Queen Mary University of London
Jonathan Grigg is the leading UK paediatrician in the effects of air pollution. His research group identifies the mechanisms whereby inhalation of particles increases vulnerability to bacterial infection.
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University of Edinburgh
The Duffin research group's interests are focused on the mechanisms controlling inflammatory processes from initiation to resolution and also understanding the potential toxicology surrounding environmental and occupational (nano)particle exposures. The Miller research group investigates the health effects of air pollution, particularly the mechanisms by which particles in vehicle exhaust can affect the cardiovascular system. The UoEd team will work on Work Package 2 which aims to use in vivo models to assess the mechanisms by which in utero exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution affect health outcomes.
Queen's University of Belfast
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UK Health Security Agency
