Hamilton

Infections in the lower respiratory tract, such as those affecting the lungs, are the leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide. Respiratory viruses remain a major health threat and often enter the body through the thin lining inside the nose. Researchers aim to understand how these viruses behave inside the nose, how they move from the nose to the lungs, and how they spread between people. This study collects nasal cell samples from healthy adults aged 18 and older to create a biobank for future research on respiratory viruses. Participants will have a small nasal brushing performed using a slender swab with tiny bristles. These samples will be stored and used later to develop upper respiratory tract organoids, validate assays, and study how emerging respiratory viruses cause disease. Participants will attend a single visit where they will answer questions and provide nasal samples. Those with recent respiratory symptoms like runny nose, cough, congestion, or fever will be asked to delay participation for up to 21 days. Personal information such as name, age, and sex will be collected and encoded to protect privacy. The main outcome is successfully obtaining nasal epithelium samples to support future respiratory virus research over a 10-year period.

Researchers are studying how human phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils, interact with bacterial pathogens. These immune cells kill many bacteria through processes involving reactive oxygen species and antimicrobial peptides. However, some bacteria have developed ways to avoid or disrupt these immune responses, leading to serious infections. This research aims to understand the specific mechanisms bacteria use to evade immune defenses and how phagocytes respond to different pathogens, which may help explain disease and inflammation. The study involves analyzing these interactions using advanced techniques like genomics and proteomics to identify bacterial genes and proteins involved. Researchers will examine phagocyte-pathogen interactions with real-time fluorescence assays, video microscopy, confocal and electron microscopy, and biochemical tests. Blood samples will be taken from healthy adult volunteers to isolate phagocytic leukocytes for these experiments. Participants will provide blood and tissue samples for analysis and storage for future research. The study will assess immune cell responses and bacterial evasion methods using various laboratory methods including enzymatic assays for reactive oxygen species production. The goal is to gain new insights into host-pathogen interactions and the underlying causes of inflammatory diseases. Participation involves healthy adults donating blood, with eligibility determined by health screening and medical history.