Jasmin Novenstern

• Investigating the role of the CD97 cell surface receptor in efferocytosis
• MSci Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement Year

Efferocytosis is the process by which certain immune cells engulf and clear away dead cells in the body. It is vital for maintaining a healthy, balanced immune system. Deficiencies in efferocytosis have been linked to numerous diseases, contributing to impaired tissue repair, chronic inflammation, and even cancer progression. Recently, a new efferocytosis-associated protein has been identified, the cell surface receptor CD97. In mice, this receptor has been found to significantly increase in abundance in macrophages, a type of immune cell, following efferocytosis. This project will examine how the absence of CD97 on the cell surface affects efferocytosis in human macrophages, using ‘normal’ macrophages, that contain CD97, as a direct comparison. We will also evaluate their ability to engulf particles, and analyse any differences in protein production following efferocytosis. The aim of this project is to evaluate the role of CD97 in efferocytosis and examine the extent of its involvement.

Funded by: Newcastle University Research Scholarship

Project Supervisors: Professor Matthias Trost and Dr Ben Raymond