BRC Clinical Fellow
The effect of ageing on the resolution of inflammation
Wezi Sendama
This project aims to test the hypothesis that ageing impairs the clearance of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils from the lung after their recruitment in acute inflammation. In addition, the project aims to discern whether ageing is associated with an impairment of signalling that ordinarily leads to the resolution of inflammation as inflammatory cells are cleared, and if so, what mechanisms may be involved.
If indeed the resolution of inflammation is impaired with age in a manner that can be identified through this project, then future research may be able to identify potential therapeutic targets to reduce the impact of age-associated chronic inflammation or exuberant inflammation in response to pathogens. The work will also contribute to an improved understanding of age-related changes in the behaviour of tissue macrophages (as opposed to macrophage-like cells derived artificially from circulating mononuclear cells, which are more accessible and therefore more commonly studied as a model of tissue macrophage behaviour).
Project milestones
- Laboratory training, ethical approvals and capacity & capability assessments at research site
- Volunteer screening, recruitment
- Sample analysis
- Manuscript preparation