DrMalcolm Starkey

Impact of stroke on bladder immunity

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Bacterial infections are one of the most common complications following stroke. UTIs occur in one-quarter of stroke patients and are a risk factor for post-stroke mortality. However, the mechanisms underpinning increased susceptibility to, or severity of UTI following stroke have not been studied. This project aims to assess the effect of stroke on the epithelial barrier in the urinary tract and antibacterial immune responses.

Novel treatments for the rare kidney stone disease cystinuria

Kidney stones are a common urinary tract problem that disproportionally affects men. Stones can cause obstructions in the urinary system and are a significant risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease. Current treatments for cystine stones focus on removing the stones, often with multiple invasive procedures. There is a lack of understanding of why stones reoccur and why individuals with stones are at increased risk of developing chronic disease. Therefore, there is a clear need for novel approaches to prevent stone recurrence and its harmful consequences.

Targeting type 2 immunity in chronic urinary tract infection

The bladder is a unique and often forgotten mucosal site. When the bladder is exposed to bacterial pathogens it sheds superficial epithelial cells to eliminate the invading bacteria. The bladder epithelium has to rapidly repair itself to maintain epithelial integrity to prevent exposure to toxins in the urine. If this repair response is insufficient, it may leave the host susceptible to infection. If the repair response is exaggerated, it may lead to remodelling and fibrosis of the tissue.