Graph-based network models of cell-signalling in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: integrated in silico and wet-lab approaches

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The project looks to investigate the key cell signalling pathways associated with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). IPF is an incurable lung disease with a poor prognosis of 2-4 years survival from time of diagnosis. Currently there is not a full understanding of the key driving mechanisms associated with the disease, which is a problem to be addressed in this research. The Wnt signalling pathway has been identified as one that plays an essential role in the communication between epithelial and fibroblast cells. However, although Wnt is well understood at an intracellular level, how the pathway is able to drive the development of lung fibroses is unclear. Throughout the project, large datasets will be used to extract mechanistic information relating to IPF, which can then be tested using wet-lab techniques. Using this combination of in silico and in vitro methods, it is hoped to identify key signalling pathways that drive IPF progression, in particular looking at the differences between canonical and non-canonical Wnt signalling. Upon identification of key mechanisms, it is planned to highlight novel drug targets and potentially look to develop ligands or proteins that can act on these sites, in order to halt IPF development.