Dr Simon A Johnston 

Senior Research Fellow in Infectious Disease
Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease
University of Sheffield, Medical School, UK

Host: Dr Claire Hoving [IDM]

Research Focus: “In my laboratory we study the macrophage and how it is modified by host and pathogen in the immune response to infection and inflammation. I believe that by better understanding the biology of the macrophage we will be able to uncover mechanisms of macrophage function that can be modified for therapeutic gain. For example, providing an opportunity to increase resistance to infection in solid organ transplant immune suppression or new treatments for antimicrobial resistant infection. I have significant expertise, and more than 15 years’ experience, in the development and use of imaging approaches from electron microscopy to live in vivo fluorescence imaging. I established my research group at the University of Sheffield in 2012 with a Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship. In the past six years I have made significant advances in understanding opportunistic fungal infection, innate immune suppression by anti-proliferative immunosuppressant drugs and the theoretical modelling of host pathogen interactions. I was promoted to senior research fellow in 2018 and am now focussed on understanding the normal immunity to opportunistic infections and the function of resident macrophage populations in health and disease.” 
Dr Johnston is currently funded through the MRC-UK, Wellcome Trust, European Research Council (ERC) and Royal Society.