Inflammatory and immune cellular signalling networks

Our work focuses on transcriptional networks that regulate inflammatory and immune cell responses to infection. We use single cell biology approaches including live-cell imaging and transcriptomics to understand how these networks decode complex immune signals and regulate cell fate and effector responses. With use of dynamical mathematical modelling we aim to develop a better quantitative understanding of these processes in health and disease.

Principal investigator: Dr Pawel Paszek

Modelling and inference in biological systems

We are developing model-based statistical methods to explore dynamic processes at different scales in biological systems. We study transcription and its regulation and develop computational tools to make sense of data from high-throughput sequencing and imaging experiments, both from cell populations and at single-cell resolution. We are particularly interested in transcriptional dynamics in response to signalling.

Principal investigator: Professor Magnus Rattray

MAP kinase signalling pathways

Signal transduction via mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulates many, if not all, cellular processes. We are particularly interested in understanding the biological context in which these pathways operate. This is achieved by developing novel genetically modified murine models of human diseases.

Principal investigator: Dr Cathy Tournier

The cellular response to stress

Our research is focused on how cells respond to stress to regulate gene expression, cellular functions and organismal health. We are interested in (i) how mitochondria sense stress and communicate this to the nucleus to alter the transcriptional programme, and (ii) how stress affects protein translation and cell survival.

Principal investigator: Dr Alan Whitmarsh