Irina has been awarded £1.5 million over 5 years to research how neutrophil function in the tissue is guided by intrinsic molecular regulators and influenced by extrinsic protein and lipid signals produced by macrophages. Recent work has highlighted a number of factors that will be functionally validated and the hypothesis that neutrophil accumulation and activity in tissues during sterile inflammation is controlled by resident and effector macrophages will be examined. Understanding the control of pathogenic neutrophil responses and identification of key regulators will help to redefine these understudied cells in chronic inflammatory disorders such as such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes amongst others and may lead to new treatments reducing the burden of human chronic inflammatory disease.
Speaking of the award, Professor Udalova stated “I am delighted to receive this award as the recognition of our unique expertise in neutrophil genomics, recently developed cutting edge technologies and established key strategic collaborations. I believe our work in this extremely interesting and completely under-studied area of research in neutrophil biology will lead to important and transforming discoveries”.
The grant will start on the 1st February 2018.
