About Program 2
Title: Macrophage differentiation and activation pathways
 In order to understand how macrophages contribute to RA and COPD, it is essential that a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling the normal development and function of macrophages is established.
The overall aim of this research program is to identify proteins that act at key control points in biological processes because these proteins are likely to represent new and potentially more effective drug targets for treating RA and COPD. For example, Program 2 looks at how macrophages at sites of disease could simply live longer and if this local survival of macrophages could be reduced, then inflammation should subside.
Our researchers use the latest technology platforms in drug target discovery, including DNA micro-array analysis for gene expression profiling and mass spectrometry based proteomics for protein identification.
This strategy has directly enabled our scientists to identify a number of new and exciting candidate drug targets that are currently undergoing validation in Research Program 3.
Find out more about chronic inflammatory diseases
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