Lung function and damage over the life course and the effects of chemical agents

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Lungs are an essential component of humans and are responsible for the gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The lung itself is complex and is composed of many different regions, depending on function, and cell types. Over the life course of a person, their lungs are subjected to a range of infections and environmental pollutants, and during conflict the potential use of chemical agents such as ricin and chlorine gas. Special cells in the lung are present that can provide a first defence against infectious and chemical agents. However, such traumas can result in the phenomenon of airway remodelling and result in extreme cases in death or present as lifelong breathing difficulties. Using specialist facilities at the Defence Science Technology Laboratory we have extensive transcriptomic (mRNAs) and proteomic analysis (proteins) of lung tissue subjected to chemical damage. Many thousands of molecules were identified and quantified, as well as detailed clinical information. These datasets were gathered over time and represent an unprecedented window into the effects and consequences of lung damage. The PhD project will use informatics to integrate this data (transcriptomics/proteomics/clinical parameters) to provide an in-silico model of lung damage. This will focus on differential gene expression analysis to identify modified signalling pathways and potential pathways that can be therapeutically targeted. Specific highlighted pathways will be further investigated using ex vivo models of the lung. Thus, the project will involve both computational and wet biology. The project will be based at the University of Liverpool and involve short term research visits to the Defence Science Technology Laboratory located at Porton Down.