Andrew Devitt
Professor, School of Biosciences | Aston University
Birmingham, UNITED KINGDOM
Professor Devitt's research over 20 years has focused on the innate immune system and its role in protection and tissue repair.
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Biography
As an inflammatory cell biologist, Professor Devitt's research over 20 years has focused on the innate immune system and its role in protection and tissue repair through the study of phagocyte clearance of dying (apoptotic) cells and microbial challenge.
Research within his research group addresses membrane receptors/ligands and cell communication in this phagocytic clearance process. His current work aims to define the mechanisms by which apoptotic cells communicate via extracellular vesicles (EV).
This BBSRC-funded work is revealing novel EV structure-function relationships that underpin tissue repair and regeneration capacity of EV from both apoptotic and viable cells, including mesenchymal stem cells. This research has introduced the concept that EV are an active extracellular metabolic compartment capable of modulating inflammation.
The ultimate aim of this group’s research is to modify inflammation for therapeutic gain either through the inhibition of inflammation (e.g. in cardiovascular disease and regenerative medicine applications) or promoting inflammation (e.g. in tumours).
Areas of Expertise (5)
Extracellular Vesicles
Intercellular Adhesion Molecules
Macrophages
Apoptosis
Phagocytes
Education (2)
University of Birmingham: PhD 1995
University of Manchester: BSc 1991
Affiliations (8)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Member - UKEV: UK Extracellular Vesicle Society
- Member - British Society for Immunology
- Member - International Society for Extracellular Vesicles
- Member - The Biochemical Society
- Member - The Society For Leukocyte Biology
- Member - European Cell Death Organization
Links (2)
Articles (3)
Development of a rapid in vitro pre-screen for distinguishing effective liposome-adjuvant delivery systems
Scientific Reports2022 Liposomes are a strong supporting tool in vaccine technology, as they are a versatile system that not only act as antigen delivery systems but also adjuvants that can be highly effective at stimulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Their ability to induce cell-mediated immunity makes their use in vaccines a useful tool in the development of novel, more effective vaccines against intracellular infections (e.g. HIV, malaria and tuberculosis).
Emerging roles for AQP in mammalian extracellular vesicles
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes2022 Recent research in the aquaporin (AQP) field has identified a role for diverse AQPs in extracellular vesicles (EV). Though still in its infancy, there is a growing body of knowledge in the area; AQPs in EV have been suggested as biomarkers for disease, as drug targets and show potential as therapeutics. To advance further in this field, AQPs in EV must be better understood. Here we summarize current knowledge of the presence and function of AQPs in EV and hypothesise their roles in health and disease.
Mass spectrometry method to profile isoprostanes and neuroprostanes in brain tissue: a study in Alzheimer’s Disease
Free Radical Biology and Medicine2021
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