The research of my group focuses on pathophysiological mechanisms of acute respiratory viral infections and the means to prevent or treat associated diseases.  Particular emphasis is placed on human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the major aetiological agent of severe respiratory disease in infants.  It is also responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals and the elderly.  We are developing reverse genetics technologies to facilitate the manipulation of a related respiratory virus with a view to its exploitation as a vector for the generation of novel respiratory virus vaccines.  Resultant recombinant viruses will also be used to dissect innate and adaptive immune responses to RSV antigens in primary human pulmonary epithelial or leukocyte cell cultures and appropriate animal models.  Studies in primary human cell cultures will be undertaken in collaboration with members of the Respiratory Medicine Research Group at Queen's University Belfast (http://www.ciir.qub.ac.uk/resp/rmfp.htm).