Detecting Diseases

Explore the hidden world within the lungs, where certain germs proliferate in response to inflammation, potentially exacerbating conditions such as bronchiectasis and COPD. Our discussion delves into 'pathobionts'—or otherwise helpful germs which flourish in inflamed environments and may contribute to the persistence of chronic lung diseases. Understanding these relationships is key to potentially curing these diseases, which were previously thought to be lifelong, along with many others.

My project focuses on creating a diagnostic test for the early diagnosis of rheumatic disease. The generic nature of early-stage symptoms, such as aches and pains, means individuals are often diagnosed in the late-stages of disease progression. Developing a technique to detect rheumatic diseases early on would promote more targeted treatment which could reduce long-term complications and improve symptoms. The idea is to create a quick and accurate test which could simultaneously detect multiple biomarkers in patient sera and be used in a patient setting.