Ly Khanh Can

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
• The effect of reactive oxygen species on innate defence mechanisms of normal and cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease due to a defect in the gene called CFTR and is very common in Northern Europe (about 1 in 25 people carry the defect). People with CF have shortened lives mainly due to deterioration of their lungs due to repeated bacterial infections. In response to infections, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are often excessively produced by inflammation. ROS are suspected to be one of the contributors to the loss of lung function, and also to the reduced effectiveness of the airways natural protection against bacteria. This project aims to test whether ROS alter the defence mechanisms of the lung cells, and whether they damage the epithelial cells lining the surface of the lungs. Although a lot of studies have focused on the potential of CFTR-dependent treatments, positive results from this non-CFTR dependent approach may lead to better treatments and so reduce CF lung disease.

Funding source: BBSRC

Supervisor: Dr Vinciane Saint-Criq