From the moment of their conception, all organisms are on a one-way journey to their eventual demise.

Research in the life course domain addresses multiple aspects of this journey; beginning with the earliest embryonic stages to the development of its organs, from the function, homeostasis and regeneration of these organs during adult life, to their dysfunction and degeneration in ageing and disease.

We take a multidisciplinary approach to these investigations, using state-of-the-art techniques in cell, molecular and structural biology, and employing model systems including rodents, fish and organoids.

An overarching aim of our research is to optimise the human life course by the early detection, treatment and ultimately prevention of diseases through healthy living.

We study patient cohorts to identify early markers of disease and use epidemiological approaches to understand the factors underlying disease progression. We use medicinal chemistry to design new therapies and pharmaceutics to optimise their application and delivery. We are interested in the impact of the microbiota on host physiology and the adverse and beneficial effects of drugs on microbial communities.

Focus areas

Our research within this domain focusses on:

• Biomarkers
• Embryogenesis and organogenesis
• Epidemiology
• Drug delivery and pharmaceutics
• Drug discovery
• Medicinal chemistry
• Models of chronic disease
• Tissue homeostasis and repair