Assessing the profile & functionality of peripheral blood immune cells
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing and modulating the profile and functionality of peripheral blood immune cells
IRAS ID
300402
Contact name
Benjamin E. Willcox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
We are studying the way in which human immune cells differ in function from each other and can be modulated to improve immune responses to infection and cancer. This involves assessing the profile and functionality of immune cells in human blood. We will study how different immune cell types and subsets respond to stimulation, and can mount responses to either infectious agents or cancer cells. Our studies will also reveal how such immune profiles and functions can alter throughout life, including after exposure to particular infections. This will help define which immune cells are pre-programmed to mount useful responses, and which are able to develop long term immune memory to a particular challenge. Finally, we will study how the function and profile of such immune cells can be modulated either by drugs or by genetic modification, to improve immune responses against likely infections, or against cancer. This information will help us understand the function of different immune subsets in much greater detail, and will aid in the development of future treatments for infectious disease and cancer.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/1068
Date of REC Opinion
24 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion