Understanding the regulation of leukotriene synthesis bt mast cells

Prostaglandins are a family of hormone-like compounds that can induce physiological responses such as elevate body temperature and increase inflammation. This project will attempt to understand what effect prostaglandins might have on immune cells called mast cells that are known for their roles in allergic diseases such as asthma. Specifically, the project is interested to understand what types of immune signalling molecules called cytokines (pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory) are produced in mast cell-prostaglandin stimulation and the molecular pathway that leads to their production. This would help to identify steps in the pathway that could be controlled by drugs.