Much of the research within the Drug Delivery group is focused on the analysis of human-associated microbes. The aim of this work is to better characterise these microbes in both health and disease.

 The human lung and gut have been areas of particular importance. Most of work to date has focused on infections of the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. It is particularly important to understand these infections given the mortality associated with respiratory failure within this patient group. Work to date has shown that a wide range of bacterial species are present and active in the CF lung. Moreover, many species that require anaerobic conditions for growth have been detected amongst a range of bacterial species not previously associated with the CF lung.

These studies are continuing – looking now at, amongst other aspects, the function of these bacteria in lung disease. Other respiratory conditions are also important. The Drug Delivery group also study the bacteria that are associated with the human gut mucosa in health and disease. These studies have shown that the bacteria associated with the gut mucosa of healthy individuals are quite distinct between individuals, yet are similar along the tract within an individual. This work is extending to study the gut in disease such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

 The Drug Delivery group work extends beyond these areas. Group members are also working on models of community development, interactions between microbe and human cells, improving and assessing therapies and their delivery. Other group members are studying the interface between environments and humans. This focuses on issues of spatial scale and incorporates aspects of stress e.g. pollutants and other chemical agents on populations and communities. This work needs the involvement of other scientists and clinicians. The Drug Delivery group is very fortunate to have the active support of such groups in the UK (currently mainly Southampton, London, Belfast and Liverpool) and abroad (USA and Australia).

The focus is to move from characterisation of what microbes are present, to develop a better understanding of the function of these microbes. From this improved understanding, similar improvements may follow in the longer term in terms of the treatment of infection.