Personal profile

Contact Details

email: a.devitt1@aston.ac.uk 
tel:
 +44 (0) 121 204 4165 
fax:
 +44 (0) 121 204 4187
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Research Interests

As an inflammatory cell biologist, my 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 my research group addresses membrane receptors/ligands and cell communication in this phagocytic clearance process.  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 my 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).

Teaching Activity

Undergraduate:

Year 2 (level 5) Immunology & microbiology

Year F (level 6) Immunology

Postgraduate:

Level 7 Immunology and Cell Biology

Employment

Membership of Professional Bodies

  • 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

Education/Academic qualification

PhD, Host cell responses to chlamydial infection, University of Birmingham

Award Date: 1 Jun 1995

BSc, Microbiology, University of Manchester

Award Date: 1 Jul 1991

External positions

Member -Dunhill Medical Trust Research Grants Committee

Chair BBSRC Committee A, UKRI-BBSRC

External Examiner, University of Edinburgh

External Examiner, York St John, York St John University

Keywords

  • QR180 Immunology
  • Intercellular Communication
  • Extracellular Vesicles (EV)

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