MatImms
The MatImms study is a study into the impact of maternal pertussis and flu vaccination on neonatal and early-life immune responses. We are recruiting both vaccinated and unvaccinated mothers and collecting maternal and infant blood samples. We are using these samples to investigate both antibody and cell-mediated immune responses to vaccination, and its impact on responses to subsequent vaccinations in the infant.
Trans-placental exosome transfer
Beth's primary research focus is invesigating the bi-directional trafficking of EVs between the mother and the feto-placental unit. Current research has previously focused on trafficking from the placenta to the mother. Beth has recently published the first demonstration of trafficking of EVs from immune cells to the placenta. This is also the first demonstration of uptake of heterologous EVs by the human placenta. This study demonstrated that uptake occurs by clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and induces the release of placental pro- and anti-inflammtory cytokines. Current and future work is continuing this research in more detail.
Collaborators
Dr. Lynda Harris, The University of Manchester, 2014
Dr. Paul Brownbill, The University of Manchester, 2014
Dr. Karen Forbes, The University of Manchester
Guest Lectures
Physiology Congress, Aberdeen, UK., 2019
Expert Review Meeting on Maternal Immunisation, PRERNA/WHO-TDR, 2018
Liverpool University Exosome Workshop, The University of Liverpool, 2016
Research Student Supervision
Rice,T, Impact of maternal pertussis vaccination on the development of the innate and adaptive infant immune system’