Dr Helen Marriott
PhD
School of Medicine and Population Health
Lecturer in Respiratory Infection
+44 114 215 9537
Full contact details
School of Medicine and Population Health
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
ºù«Ӱҵ
S10 2RX
- Profile
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For enquiries please contact - SMPH-West-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk
I joined the University of ºù«Ӱҵ in 1995 from the Department of Respiratory Physiology, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge. From 1995 to 2001 my research was on the pulmonary circulation, focusing on animal models of pulmonary hypertension. This formed the basis of my PhD, "Pulmonary hypertension: susceptibility and treatment in rat models".
In 2001 I joined Professor David Dockrell´s group as a post-doctoral research associate investigating the role of macrophage apoptosis in pneumococcal infection.
In 2005 I was awarded an independent fellowship from the British Lung Foundation to investigate the effects of influenza A virus on macrophage innate immune function.
In 2015 I was appointed Lecturer in Respiratory Infection.
Since 2016 I have been the academic lead of the Medical School Flow Cytometry Core Facility.
- Research interests
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My main research interest is in the role of macrophages in host defense against respiratory pathogens, in particular Streptococcus pneumoniae. I am also interested in the effect of influenza A virus on macrophage function, its effect on the regulation of macrophage apoptosis and how this may lead to increased susceptibility to bacterial superinfections. I have been using a variety of in vitro, in vivo models and computational models to support this research.
Current projects
Re-engaging antimicrobial killing by macrophages to combat antimicrobial resistance.
I was awarded an Innovation grant from the MRC as part of the cross research council initiative Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance to identify new targets for novel antibacterials. We have described macrophage apoptosis associated killing as an alternative means by which macrophages kill bacteria, however we have found that this is subverted in some patients at increased risk of bacterial infections, such as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. In addition some bacteria, notably S. aureus, can prevent macrophage apoptosis associated killing to survive within macrophages. In this grant we will screen and develop compounds to engage macrophage apoptosis as a means to improve bacterial killing and modify inflammation. By targeting the host, rather than the pathogen, we anticipate this will avoid antimicrobial resistance. This concept is a focus of the MRC Collaborative Grant, Optimising Innate Host Defence to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance of which I am a co-investigator.
Molecular analysis of the effects of influenza A virus on macrophage innate immune function (Wellcome Trust VIP award and Personal fellowship from the British Lung Foundation).
The aim of my fellowship was to characterise the effect of influenza A virus on macrophage function, with particular emphasis on its effect on the regulation of macrophage apoptosis. I have established in vitro macrophage and in vivo murine models of IAV infection and shown that both human monocyte derived macrophages and murine macrophages undergo apoptosis after influenza A virus infection. I am investigating how this relates to cytokine production, generation of antimicrobial molecules and killing of bacteria.
Role of ubiquitination in regulation of macrophage viability after bacterial infection.
Macrophages do not undergo apoptosis after infection with S. aureus or N. meningitidis, and I have shown this is associated with an increase in the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1. I am currently investigating the mechanism behind this up-regulation focusing on the role of post-translational modifications, in particular ubiquitination, and identifying the bacterial factors responsible.
- Publications
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Featured publications
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Journal articles
Chapters
Conference proceedings papers
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- Teaching activities
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I contribute to several modules in the MSc in Molecular Medicine. I am the module leader for the following modules:
- Modulating Immunity
- Molecular and Cellular Basis of Disease
- Pathogenicity of Viruses and Fungi
I am also the lead for the Experimental Medicine pathway.
I contribute to the teaching and supervision of students in the Medical School MBChB and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology BSc and MBiolSci courses.
I also teach the Postgraduate Induction course of the Faculty of Health and am the unfair means officer for the Medical School (PGR).
- Professional activities and memberships
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- Member of University of ºù«Ӱҵ Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Board / 3Rs Committee