Dysregulated metabolic homeostasis in oropharyngeal mucosa as a common pathway in human multi systems disease

Principal Investigators: Professor Chris Ward and Dr James Garnett

The Study

Preliminary work has demonstrated that altered glucose levels cause significant changes in metabolism in the cells of the nose.

Altered glucose levels will occur in people with conditions such as diabetes or chronic lung diseases and may occur in people as they age.

Preliminary work shows that nasal epithelial cells are the first responders to infections, yet if changes in metabolism occur, this may leave some people more open to greater risk of infection. This may be a reason that older people and those with conditions such as diabetes and chronic lung disease, have been disproportionately affected by viral and bacterial infections, like Coronavirus.

This research will examine how oral and upper airway health links to overall diseases of ageing and will be used to support further applications for funding.