Research Expertise
Role of mechanical forces in the pathophysiology of asthma Dr Grainge recently demonstrated that mechanical forces may play an important role in determining long term changes in human airways, that research was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2011. Following his move to the University of Newcastle he and his team are investigating how the mechanical forces that are associated with airway narrowing in asthma influence the airway. The role of environmental dusts in pathogenesis of lung disease Recent clinical evidence has suggested that some individuals exposed to high levels of inhaled dusts develop the usually rare lung disease, constrictive bronchiolitis. Following the award of over £220,000 from the British Lung Foundation, the Institute of Life Sciences and the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institution Dr Grainge and his team are investigating the mechanisms underling the development of lung disease including constrictive bronchiolitis following environmental exposure to inhaled particles, and are attempting to identify potential therapies. This project is a collaboration between the National Oceanography Centre and the University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine. The effect of platelet antagonists on allergen challenge in asthma Platelet activation in the lungs occurs following many stimuli including allergen challenge and chemical injury to the lung. Dr Grainge and his group hypothesise that inhibiting platelet activation will decrease the lung injury associated with these stimuli and may provide an additional therapeutic pathway for asthma which has yet to be investigated. The project involves a double blind randomized controlled trial of Clopidogrel, an oral platelet antagonist, and its effects on inhaled allergen challenge.