Welcome to the Gavins lab
Inflammation
Our research tackles one of the most important drivers of disease:
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Our goal is to address unmet healthcare needs, particularly in ageing populations, by enhancing inflammation resolution, improving vascular health, & mitigating chronic disease progression.
Our laboratory is committed to advancing the understanding of immune cell dynamics in vascular inflammation and thrombosis to drive the development of tailored, next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics. By harnessing the body’s innate pro-resolving pathways and championing innovative strategies, we aim to restore vascular health and transform the treatment landscape for inflammation-driven diseases, addressing chronic inflammation and thromboinflammation at their core.
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A focal point of our research is the Annexin A1-Formyl Peptide Receptor-2 (AnxA1-FPR2) pathway, a vital endogenous axis for resolving inflammation and maintaining health. We explore how these pathways and mediators become impaired in diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, sepsis, and sickle cell disease, striving to restore their function through innovative therapeutics.
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. By fostering partnerships across academia, industry, and healthcare, we promote interdisciplinary solutions and accelerate the translation of discoveries into clinical applications. We are equally committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to address emerging global health challenges.
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If you are interested in joining our lab and contributing to cutting-edge research click here -->
Our Vision
We endeavour to develop precision-targeted therapies that temper inflammatory processes & enhance resolution, transforming the treatment landscape for chronic inflammatory & thromboinflammatory diseases.
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Interview with Professor Gavins
Professor Felicity N.E. Gavins is a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society and the recipient of a prestigious Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship. She is also the Director of The Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine (CIRTM) at Brunel University London. In this video, she discusses her research vision and activity focused on the identification of novel therapeutic strategies to reduce inflammation.
For more public outreach activities click here -->
Explore Our Research
Our research bridges integrative physiology and pharmacology with AI-driven discovery, harnessing next-generation technologies and data-driven strategies to unravel the complexities of vascular and immune dynamics and drive transformative innovations in health and disease.
Our Approach
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State-of-the-Art Techniques: High-resolution in vivo imaging, AI-enabled single-cell immunophenotyping and multi-omics approaches.
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Innovative Models: Employing in vivo disease models and human microfluidic systems to replicate tissue microenvironments.
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Dynamic Interfaces: Exploring the microvasculature as a key player in immune cell activity, focussing on e.g. neutrophils and platelets and their interactions with tissues.
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NAMs and NATs Integration: Adopting New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and New Approach Technologies to refine research, minimise reliance on animal models and enhance translatability to human health. ​​
Our work delves deep into the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving immune communication, recruitment, and signalling. By leveraging these innovative strategies, we uncover novel pathways, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets, paving the way for groundbreaking treatments for inflammation and thromboinflammation.
Ongoing Research Projects
Explore our projects or contact us to discuss collaborative opportunities to turn challenges into innovative solutions:
Harnessing our immune system to protect against ageing
Phenotypic & functional profiling of immune cells
Developing non-mammalian models for thrombosis research
Therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular pathologies
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Pharmacological approaches for inflammation resolution
Promoting inflammation resolution in
Sickle Cell Disease
Completed Research Projects
Browse some of our past research projects here:
Modelling the pathogenesis
of COVID-19
Investigating cerebral microvasculature dysfunction
Targeting Thromboinflammation in CVD
News
Welcome Magda!
Magda is the latest member to join our team! 🎉 She's embarking on her exciting PhD adventure, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her onboard. Welcome, Magda! 🚀🎓
Post-doctoral researcher
position
Coming Soon!
Watch this space for more details about the position! Advert due out late September/October 2024. Contact Professor Gavins for more details.
Neutrophil 2024!
Great to be part of the Neutrophil community at Neutrophil2024! The Gavins lab thoroughly enjoyed presenting and networking. Great science!
To see past news click here -->
Our Team
Professor
Felicity N.E. Gavins
BSc (Hons)., Ph.D., FRSB,
FBPhS, FHEA
Principal Investigator
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Group Leader
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Professor of Pharmacology
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Royal Society Wolfson Fellow
Felicity read Pharmacology at the University of Sunderland, where she also embarked on an industrial placement year at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. After completing her BSc (Hons), she studied for a Ph.D. in Pharmacology at Queen Mary University London, supported by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Felicity was then awarded a BHF Junior Research Fellowship and in 2007 joined Imperial College London to take up a BBSRC-funded Lectureship position in the Centre for Integrative Mammalian Physiology and Pharmacology. This was shortly followed by a senior lectureship and the appointment to Deputy Head of The Centre of Neurodegeneration & Neuroinflammation. In 2013 she accepted an academic position with tenure at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport (USA) and was appointed Director of The Small Animal Imaging Facility. Felicity joined Brunel University of London in 2019 as Professor of Pharmacology and Royal Society Wolfson Fellow, and is also the Director of The Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine (CIRTM).
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Throughout her academic career, Felicity has worked with, and served on, numerous national and international research councils, medical charities and learned societies. She has published widely in her field and received a number of awards and honours for her work. She is a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society and of the Royal Society of Biology. Felicity continues to be actively involved in public and patient organizations which has been immensely instructive for her research. She is also dedicated to promoting mentoring and collaborative research, along with facilitating mentoring of post-doctoral research fellows and early-career investigators.
Post-Doc
Under recruitment.
Coming soon!
PhD Student
Sophie C.
Preston
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Sophie is a PhD candidate undertaking a 3-year studentship co-funded by ResoTher Pharma. Her research focuses on FPR2 agonism as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of stroke. Sophie graduated in Biological Sciences and ARCS from Imperial College London and completed an MSc in Biopharmaceutical Development at the University of Leeds, where she gained hands-on experience as an Immunology Scientist during a 6-month placement at the CRO Labcorp Drug Development.
Magdalini Malliari
PhD Student
Magda a PhD student holding a 3-year PhD studentship funded by the British Heart Foundation. Her research employs human microfluidics and in-vivo models to explore the translational potential of promoting inflammation resolution in cardiovascular pathologies. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Immunology and an MSc in Precision Medicine and Pharmacological Innovation from the University of Glasgow.
Savannah L. Thompson
MSc+PhD Student
Savannah is pursuing an MSc in Mechanisms and Therapy in Infection and Inflammation, followed by a 3-year PhD studentship to explore the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in autoimmunity. She graduated in Biomedical Science from Bournemouth University and brings a unique blend of experiences, including service in the British Army’s Intelligence Corps, where she honed her analytical and leadership skills.
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Thomas P. Williams
PhD Student
Tom is pursuing a 3-year PhD in the field of resolution pharmacology, focusing on advancing next-generation personalised medicines for age-related conditions, including cardiovascular disease. Tom graduated in Biology from the University of Portsmouth, and has gained experience as a research assistant at King’s College London, and industry experience at Plasticell LTD.
Amina
Ali
PhD Student
Amina is a PhD candidate funded by a 3-year Dean’s PhD studentship. Her research will focus on developing non-mammalian models for thrombosis research and characterising the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs within these models. Before joining the Gavins lab, at Brunel University of London, Amina graduated in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Reading.
Current
BSc & MSc interns
Every year, the Gavins Lab hosts several BSc and MSc interns carrying out their final research projects in inflammation biology. This year's cohort are:
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Paula Eva Podniesinski (Biomedical Sciences BSc)
Abishan Suthaarshan (Biomedical Sciences BSc)
Maryaam Khaawaia (Biomedical Sciences BSc)
Zakria Rashid (Biomedical Sciences BSc)
Nigah Ul-Hassaan Bokhari (Biomedical Sciences BSc)
Collaborators
The Gavins Lab is at the centre of a wide global network of collaborations with leading scientists in the field:
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Professor Paul Kubes (University of `Calgary - School of Medicine, Canada)​
Professor Rafal Pawlinski (University of North Carolina - School of Medicine, USA)​
Dr Neeraj Dhaun (Bean) (University of Edinburgh, UK)​
Emeritus Professor Robert P. Hebbel (University of Minnesota, USA)
Professor Mauro Perretti (Queen Mary University of London, UK)
Professor Charles N. Serhan (Harvard Medical School, USA)
Professor Jesmond Dalli (Queen Mary University of London, UK)
Professor Ursula Rescher (Münster University, Gerrmany)
Dr Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci (King's College London, UK)
Professor Rebecca H. Ritchie (Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Australia)
Professor Michael Hickey (Monash University, Australia)
Professor Nicholas Long (Imperial College London, UK)
Professor Ikuo Tsunoda (Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Japan)
Our Funders
None of our work would be possible without the generous support from our funders including:
In addition to public funders, we have established strategic partnerships with leading biotech and pharmaceutical industries with the common goal to accelerate the translation of our discoveries from the lab to the clinic.
Consultancy & Collaboration
With over 20 years of expertise in mode-of-action pharmacology, we can offer tailored, cost-effective strategies to accelerate drug discovery and optimise delivery. We integrate experimental testing, data interpretation, and advanced analytics to facilitate innovation and support strategic and regulatory decisions.
Specialising in immune regulatory pathways, we leverage a diverse portfolio of human models, new approach methodologies (NAMs), new animal technologies (NATs), and traditional in vivo systems to provide translatable insights. Our capabilities include AI-driven analyses, microfluidic models, and high-resolution imaging, enabling in-depth preclinical exploration of health and disease.
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We also take an active partnering approach and welcome inquiries for collaboration.
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For more details:
Contact
Professor Felicity N. E. Gavins
Brunel University of London,
College of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences,
Centre for Inflammation Research & Translational Medicine (CIRTM),
Department of Life Sciences,
Heinz Wolff Building ,
Office 111 ,
London, UB8 3PH,
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)1895 267 151.
