Research in Pathology
Breath Research Group
Our goal is to design non-invasive breath tests for the detection of infectious lung pathogens.
Currently our group is working on the development of three breath tests to detect Aspergillus fumigatus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in the lung.
Free Radical Research Group
The Free Radical Research Group consists of biochemists and cell biologists undertaking a range of interrelated research projects on aspects of oxidative stress and antioxidant action.
Current areas of research include oxidant production by neutrophils, with emphasis on the enzymology of myeloperoxidase and the molecular and cellular reactions of the neutrophil oxidant, hypochlorous acid; mechanisms and consequences of thiol protein oxidation; redox regulation of cell signaling; oxidative stress and apoptosis; radical scavenging mechanisms and reactions of superoxide radicals.
Gene Structure and Function Laboratory
This group works on a range of projects that explore how genes influence the onset, progression and treatment of disease.
Much of their current research centres on psychiatric genetics and pharmacogenomics (the impact of genetic variation on responses to drugs).
The lab is exploring how genetic variation impacts on risk of complex disease, such as depression and other conditions, and carrying out pharmacogenomics analyses in a wide range of disciplines, inlcuding psychiatry, gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, and clinical pharmacology.
Haematology Research Group
The Haematology Research Group was established in 1981 within the Haematology Department at Christchurch Hospital in order to provide research and development expertise for the department.
Our main area of research interest is the immunobiology of cancer and leukaemia.
Our long term aim is to develop better methods for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant disease.
Inflammation Research Group
Prof. Madhav Bhatia joined the Department in early 2010, from the National University of Singapore.
He has an active research programme on the molecular pharmacology and molecular pathology of acute pancreatitis, a common but problematic condition.
Liver Sieve Research Group
The Liver Sieve research group has an interest in the fine vessels of the liver.
These vessels are unique in having small (0.1 millionth of a meter) holes in their walls.
The holes act as a filter or sieve restricting large particles to the blood and allowing smaller particles into the liver.
The Liver sieve, formed by fenestrated sinusoidal endothlium, separates chylomicrons and food fats from their remnants with dietary cholesterol and fat soluble vitamins.
The sieve is altered by many factors such as alcohol, stress, ageing and diabetes, thus leading to post prandial hyperlipidaemia atherosclerosis and asteoporosis.
Mackenzie Cancer Research Group
Formally the Angiogenesis Research Group. We are interested in the pathology of human tumours and in identifying the genetic changes that give rise to cancer. Our research focuses on the molecular regulation of tumour growth, metastasis and response to therapy.
Specific areas of research interest include human breast, kidney and colorectal cancer.
Molecular Pathology Laboratory
An active research program complements the clinical diagnostic side of Molecular Pathology. The focus of the group's research falls on the identification and characterisation of abnormalities of human proteins that are associated with disease.
Topics include:
- structure and function relationships of fibrinogen
- methods to stabilise proteins; and
- development of methods to detect variants at the DNA and protein levels.
VIDARIS
VIDARIS is a double blind randomised placebo controlled trial investigating the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the incidence and/or severity of acute respiratory infections-colds and flu in adults.