Investigating the links between inflammation and fibrosis during tissue repair

Using a multi-model organism approach, Professor Martin is investigating the cell biology of each step of tissue damage-triggered inflammation: from inflammatory cell recruitment/activation, to the change in fibroblast deposition of collagen that leads to a scar. He will use this cell biology knowledge to identify further mechanistic links between inflammation and scarring, to inform potential therapeutic strategies for blocking fibrosis. A better understanding of the steps leading to the fibrotic process is clinically significant in contexts beyond scarring of skin wounds, as extensive tissue damage-triggered inflammation underlies many human pathologies, including rheumatoid arthritis and liver cirrhosis.