Our research
Our lab is advancing a new multi-disciplinary field of research investigating the central role of the lymphatic system in disease, and developing novel drug delivery systems to target the lymphatics and treat disease. Specifically, we are:
- Determining the impact of environment and disease factors on lymphatic function and composition
- Defining the mechanisms by which the lymphatic system shapes metabolism and immunity to determine health and disease
- Developing novel treatments that target the lymphatic system to ensure health and mitigate disease
Figure 1. Lymphatic vessels (pink) and blood vessels (green) draining the villi that line the intestine
Historically, lymphatic vessels were considered biologically inert and like a pipe that drains fluid, lipids and immune cells from tissues back to blood. In the last 10-15 years our group and others have discovered that the structure and composition of the lymphatics is dynamic and changes in response to the environment to have profound effects on health and disease. For example, lymph from the intestine communicates with the mesentery then bypasses the liver to empty into the blood circulation, directly influencing metabolism, immunity and organ function around the body (see Figure 1). Lymph is thus a new key factor that influences health and disease.
