Validating new methods for identifying neutrophil extracellular traps in-vivo

White blood cells called neutrophils kill bacteria and clear them from the lungs. They usually do this through eating the bacteria (phagocytosis) but occasionally they do this through a mechanism whereby the cell “explodes”, releasing toxins that kill the microbe (known as neutrophil extracellular trap – NET – formation). This method is very damaging to the lung, and we believe it leads to diseases like COPD. In this project, Eleanor will look at neutrophils from patients with lung disease undergoing NET formation, to develop better ways of measuring them. This will make it easier to spot when patients are developing diseases at an earlier stage.