Ian Marriott, Ph.D.

CBES Area of Interest:

Our research focuses on the mechanisms underlying damaging inflammation in brain and bone tissue following infection. Microglia and astrocytes are the principle non-neuronal cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and play a key role in host defense against invading pathogens. However, these glial cells may play a far more sinister role by amplifying the effects of inflammation leading to CNS damage. Much work has been devoted to the study of glial involvement during inflammatory diseases such as meningitis and encephalitis, but despite this the nature of the stimuli that initiate and exacerbate the inflammatory activities of these cells remains a mystery. We are currently investigating the molecular means by which these resident brain cells perceive bacteria and viruses. Furthermore, we are also determining the ability of the neurotransmitter substance P to exacerbate such inflammatory responses thereby contributing to neurological damage. In another project, we seek to determine the role of bone-forming osteoblasts in inflammatory bone damage following bone diseases such as osteomyelitis. Recent studies from my research team suggest that bacterially infected osteoblasts could be a major source of immune mediators that can promote inflammation, white blood cell recruitment and bone loss at sites of infection.

CBES Area of Expertise:

Immunology, Cell biology, Physiology