Respiratory Medicine and Gastroenterology

Our division leads translational science research focusing on the interaction between host tissue and environmental factors in the lung and gastrointestinal tract. This includes clinical trials, early cancer detection, innovations in chronic liver disease treatment, and the development of new medical devices. Funding comes from organisations like NIHR, the European Respiratory Society, Asthma and Lung UK, UKRI, and several charities, as well as commercial partnerships.

Key projects include research into lung diseases such as bronchiectasis, COPD, and primary ciliary dyskinesia, as well as inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Our objectives are to explore mechanisms of injury and repair to the epithelial barrier, define the roles of the oral, gut, and lung microbiomes, and understand the processes of mucociliary clearance in the lungs. We also investigate cytokine biology, immune cell functions (neutrophils and macrophages), and extracellular matrix remodelling in disease, aiming to use this knowledge for new therapeutic strategies.

We host the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC), an international clinical research network with a registry of over 20,000 bronchiectasis patients from 300 centres. This project also includes biosampling for translational research and a clinical trial program (GREAT2, AIRNET). Additionally, we lead the European BEAT-PCD network, which focusses on primary ciliary dyskinesia and supports the National Centre for Rare Lung Diseases bioresource.

In clinical trials, we focus on respiratory diseases, such as asthma, COPD, and chronic rhinosinusitis, as well as acute and chronic respiratory infections. We also conduct gastrointestinal clinical trials in IBD.

Our research extends to the gastrointestinal mucosal microbiota’s role in paediatric diseases. We focus on its molecular characterisation and how it can be modified through diet and other microbial therapies for therapeutic benefit.

We apply a population health approach to improve colon cancer screening and early detection through biomarkers in stool and blood. Our work on faecal haemoglobin in symptomatic patients has informed the NICE guidelines on suspected cancer, earning the Global Distinction UNIVANTS of Healthcare award.

We also study protein expression signatures in gastrointestinal cancers using tissue microarray platforms, immunohistochemistry, and digital pathology image analysis. This research aids diagnosis, monitors disease progression, and informs clinical surveillance strategies.

In medical device development, we are creating innovative materials and ergonomic robotic systems (Endorobotics), incorporating AI to improve the early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal polyps and cancers.

Finally, our multi-award-winning hepatology research includes iLFT, an automated testing system for liver disease, now used in UK centres and being expanded internationally. Our efforts have also led to the first local eradication of Hepatitis C, and we now lead the NIHR global health group DESTINE, supporting Hepatitis C elimination in Ethiopia.