Biominerals in Health and Disease

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Almost all biomedical research involves carbon-based (organic) molecules and yet we and other groups have shown that non-carbon based 'mineral' structures have unappreciated roles in supporting normal health and development. Moreover, we have found that by studying these mineral structures and function in biology we have new ideas on how to develop novel mineral-based therapeutics.. Much of our work concentrates on the digestive system and in understanding how our intestinal cells take up mineral structures and with what purpose. Our work integrates different disciplines, such as chemistry, cell biology, human nutrition and immunology, and we collaborate with many different scientists around the world. We then apply some of the lessons learned to other key medical research areas, such as the development of a mineral-based anti-cancer agent. Indeed we are very committed to translating our research findings for nutritional or therapeutic applications that will improve human health. Specifically in this work we will describe:-(a) How and why small mineral particles form naturally in the lumen of the intestine, and what their role is in acting as "cargo ships" that capture fragments of food and bacteria in this environment and then transport the cargo to cells of the intestinal immune system as a part of 'surveillance' for normal human health.(b) Whether in Crohn's disease patients, the pathway described above is operating normally or not. And, if not, whether this may be secondary to the disease process or in fact carries a risk for the disease process to develop in the first place (i.e. cause or effect)?(c) Whether engineered particles, to which we are all exposed via the diet or pills or personal care products, can hijack the pathway described above, lodge in intestinal cells and tip the balance between health and disease (notably Crohn's disease) in genetically susceptible individuals.(d) Whether in fact the engineered particles to which we are exposed, as described in (c) get beyond the intestine and enter our blood circulation and therefore other tissues of the body. And if so, to what extent does this occur in healthy subjects and in those with Crohn's disease.(e) Whether we can build mineral structures that will purposefully stimulate certain cell types for therapeutic benefit in diseases when the immune system needs a boost - such as in cancer.