Graham Ogg

Skin and mucosae frequently represent the first point of contact with pathogens and allergens, yet we still know relatively little of the role of the surface immune system in clearing such challenges. This is crucially important in understanding the mechanisms of skin diseases and related diseases, and for optimising approaches to cutaneous drug and vaccine delivery. The aim of the group is therefore to understand, at the molecular and cellular level, the role of human cutaneous immune responses in mechanisms of disease, treatment and vaccination.  As well as contributing to an understanding of disease pathogenesis, we aim to translate our findings to changes in clinical practice.

Specifically, we are working on skin T cells which respond to inflammatory lipids that are presented by CD1a.  This turns out to be a very important part skin immune responses and we have been defining the underlying mechanisms. Our findings  are also developing towards new approaches to modulate the CD1a pathway for patient benefit.