Research
My research group focuses on the molecular mechanisms which regulate vascular function in settings of disease. We are particularly interested in microvascular complications associated with diabetes (e.g. retinopathy), tumour metastasis, and pulmonary disease (e.g. acute respiratory distress syndrome) linked to vascular barrier disruption (permeability and hemorrhage) and aberrant angiogenic processes. We focus on novel signalling mechanisms in the endothelium linked to endosomal adaptor proteins (p18/LAMTOR1), endothelial-derived microparticles, and GPCR taste sensing receptors. We are also using this information to develop therapeutic agents and currently have an international patent based on these studies.
Publications
Key publications:
- Shil A, Ladeira-Faria L, Walker C, Chichger H. The artificial sweetener neotame negatively regulates the intestinal epithelium directly through T1R3-signalling and indirectly through pathogenic changes to model gut bacteria. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2024 Apr;24:11.
- Blackham-Hayward E, Kertesz Z, Chichger H. Electronic vape fluid activates the pulmonary endothelium and disrupts vascular integrity through an ARF6-dependent pathway. Microvascular Research. 2024 Jan 14;153:104653.
- Kaya A, Arafat B, Chichger H, Tolaymat I, Pierscionek B, Khoder M, Najlah M. Preparation and characterisation of zinc diethyldithiocarbamate-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes for potential lung cancer treatment. Pharmaceutics. 2024 Jan;16:65.
- Shil A, Zhang J, Chichger H. Investigating the use and awareness of artificial sweeteners among diabetic patients in Bangladesh. PloS One. 2023 Dec 13;18(12):e0295272.
- Chapman S, Roberts J, Roberts AJ, Ogden H, Ozard R, Smith L, Chichger H, Struszczak L, Rawcliffe AJ. Pre-sleep protein supplementation does not improve performance, body composition, and recovery in British Army recruits (part 1). Frontiers in Nutrition. 2023 Nov 30;10:1264044.
- Chapman S, Roberts J, Roberts AJ, Ogden H, Ozard R, Smith L, Chichger H, Struszczak L, Rawcliffe AJ. Pre-sleep protein supplementation does not improve recovery from load carriage in British Army recruits (part 2). Frontiers in Nutrition. 2023 Nov 30;10:1264042.
- Roberts JD, Lillis J, Pinto JM, Chichger H, Lopez-Samanes A, Del Coso J, Zacca R, Willmott AGB. The effect of a hydroxytyrosol-rich, olive-derived phytocomplex on aerobic exercise and acute recovery. Nutrients. 2023 Jan 13;15(2):421.
- Roberts JD, Lillis J, Pinto JM, Willmott AGB, Gautam L, Davies C, Lopez-Samanes A, Del Coso J, Chichger H. The impact of a natural olive-derived phytocomplex (OliPhenolia®) on exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy adults. Nutrients. 2022 Dec 4;14(23):5156.
- Kertesz Z, Harrington EO, Braza J, Guarino BD, Chichger H. Agonists for Bitter Taste Receptors T2R10 and T2R38 attenuate LPS-induced permeability of the pulmonary endothelium in vitro. Frontiers in Physiology. 2022 Mar 23;13;794370.
