Role of P2X receptors in inflammatory pain (with Astrazeneca Cambridge)

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Inflammatory pain results from the increased excitability of sensory (pain-sensing) neurons produced by the action of inflammatory mediators. Tissue damage or infection causes activation of tissue resident leukocytes, such as macrophage, which leads to the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators. The project will investigate the molecular mechanisms underpinning the role of ATP-gated P2X receptor ion channels in inflammatory pain, focusing of the role of these channels in the activation of human leukocytes and in the sensitisation of sensory neurons. The project will combine new pharmacological tools available through the collaboration in combination with patch-clamp electrophysiology, calcium imaging, flow cytometry, proteomics and cell isolation techniques to elucidate molecular pathways underlying inflammatory pain and offer novel routes to drug discovery. This is a collaborative project with AstraZeneca, and the project will include a research placement at the company in Cambridge within the neuroscience division.