Integrative transport phenomena in chemokine gradient establishment

White blood cells protect us from infection, but also contribute to the development of many diseases, such as asthma, arthritis, heart disease and cancer. To do this they move from the blood into our organs. This cell movement is guided by chemokines. These are attractant molecules that are released by cells and form ‘chemokine concentration gradients’ inside the tissues of our organs, with the highest concentration near the cell releasing the chemokine. White blood cells sense these gradients and move towards the source of the chemokine. If the gradients are not set up correctly, then white blood cells have trouble finding their way. This can have profound consequences in health and disease. It is important that we understand the complexities of how chemokine concentration gradients are set up, maintained and controlled, and develop a better appreciation of how they make white blood cells migrate.

The combined expertise of our multidisciplinary team of biologists, engineers and mathematicians will provide unique insights into these processes.

Our findings could ultimately benefit many areas of medicine.