Yasmin Aneesa Awan

• BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences
• Airway submucosal gland cell culture: developing better cell models that represent the in vivo situation.

The human respiratory tract is lined by a thin layer of fluid which is mainly produced by submucosal gland cells (SMGCs). This fluid is vital to keep the lungs free from infection, and many lung diseases are caused by a lack of fluid, but we don’t understand why.  Currently, researchers lack good models of SMGCs that can be studied in the laboratory. This project will aim to find out which culture conditions produce SMGCs that best represent those found in the body which will be an important advance for future studies into SMGCs function and therapies for airways disease.

Project Supervisor: Dr Michael Gray, Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences

Funding Source: Newcastle University