People

Dr Elizabeth Veal

The main focus of research in my lab is understanding the molecular mechanisms by which organisms sense and respond to reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are a source of potentially lethal levels of cell damage. This makes them an important host weapon against pathogenic infection, as well as a major contributor to the damage associated with many chronic diseases. Accordingly, there is significant interest in understanding the mechanisms cells employ to protect themselves against this damage. These responses are highly conserved in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which is why we have taken advantage of the huge range of genetic tools available to study ROS signalling in this model yeast. As part of our interest in the relationship between ROS responses, ageing and host innate immunity, we use the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans which contains a very primitive innate immune system, and is an excellent model for genetic studies. For example, this work allows us to identify new genes that are involved in defending C. elegans against pathogens, including the fungal pathogen Candida albicans.