Rapid Functional and Mechanical Characterisation of Neutrophil-Bacteria Interactions

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Neutrophils are white blood cell that rapidly identify, ingest and kill bacteria However, little is known about the immediate physical processes occurring when neutrophils first meet bacteria, and how these vary in health and during severe infection. This project will address this gap by combining expertise and simultaneously imaging real-time bacterial ingestion, probing changes in neutrophil mechanics, and studying chemical changes in neutrophils. The research will visualise bacterial ingestion, probe the neutrophil's mechanical properties, and link these to functional changes in neutrophils from healthy people and patients. Abnormalities detected will be exploited for new therapeutic treatments.