The Medical Research Council (MRC) has recently funded a Four-year, £1.5M cohort study, that is studying the impact of e-cigarettes on immune and epithelial cells within the lungs of smokers trying to quit using e-cigarettes.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, and a risk factor for many diseases. With an ageing population, the profound economic and health burden of smoking-related disease continues to increase. E-cigarettes are an effective, NICE recommended smoking cessation tool yet the long-term effects of vaping remain uncertain. Our short-term exposure studies have shown the deleterious effects of e-cigarette exposure on innate immune cell function (neutrophils, alveolar macrophages), suggesting potential harm from chronic exposure.
This project aims to address this knowledge gap by recruiting a cohort of healthy smokers aiming to quit smoking using e-cigarettes, to provide critical data needed to determine safety and to inform personal choice, public debate, and policy. This longitudinal cohort study will evaluate accumulation of toxins in the airways, changes in epithelial and innate immune cell functions during smoking cessation, by combining a multi-omic approach with whole-cell effector functions and characterise changes in the respiratory microbiome.
This post will require the Research Fellow to work closely with clinical scientists to deliver this cohort study within the laboratory of Dr Aaron Scott. The Research Fellow will contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within this research project.
Role Summary
- Work within specified research grants and projects, specifically an ongoing research project that is investigating how immune cells are change after smoking cessation and how they are affected by continued exposure to e-cigarettes.
- Operate within area of specialism, specifically supporting the work undertaken by Dr Scott that is investigating the impact of the exposome (smoke, e-cigarette vapour, pollution) on respiratory immune health.
- Integrate with clinical team to deliver a patient cohort study, including appropriate record keeping.
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results.
- Contribute to public understanding of the discipline.
- Contribute to generating funding
