Immunodeficiency and Infection and Immunity

Dr Don Henderson  heads up the Clinical Service Laboratory. He is in charge of a team of Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists, Medical Technical Officers and Medical Laboratory Assistants. Many of these individuals are actively involved in obtaining higher degrees through part-time study and they are involved in a variety of research projects. Everyone is encouraged to publish their results and to present their findings to scientific meetings. In addition, from time to time, PhD and MD research students, MSc students and visitors expand Dr Henderson’s team. The main interests of this group centre upon patient orientated research. Encapsulated bacteria are most problematic in the young, elderly and immunosuppressed and the group are investigating maternal-foetal transfer of immunity following vaccination and protein conjugated vaccines in HIV patients. Also within HIV patients, there are ongoing investigations into various aspects of innate immunity, including neutrophil and NK cell activation and functions and the genetic phenotypes influencing production of opsonins such as mannose binding lectin. A study into the influence of tumour necrosis factor polymorphisms on wheezy babies and the development of asthma is just being completed. Other areas of study include stress and the immune system, and the mechanisms governing morphine intolerance in some patients.