Iron Metabolism

Summary

The Iron Metabolism Laboratory studies a wide spectrum of iron-related issues from basic mechanisms of iron homeostasis to disorders of iron metabolism. We are particularly interested in iron nutrition and iron deficiency, diseases of iron loading (haemochromatosis, thalassaemia and haemolytic anaemias) and the effects of iron on other conditions, notably cystic fibrosis. The laboratory seeks to do this by integrating genetic and molecular studies with biochemical and physiological approaches.

Much of our recent research has been based on understanding mechanisms of cellular iron transport and the way in which these processes are regulated. The group has a particular interest in studying intestinal iron absorption and body iron recycling, and how these processes are altered in disorders of iron metabolism. The role of the liver-derived hormone hepcidin, which regulates body iron transport, has been studied extensively.

The ultimate goal of our work is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions where iron metabolism is perturbed.

Conditions researched

• Iron overload conditions (such as haemochromatosis)
• Iron nutrition and supplementation during pregnancy
• Iron homeostasis in neonates
• Iron loading anaemias (including thalassaemia and haemolytic anaemias)
• Cystic fibrosis

Current research

• Mechanisms of intestinal iron absorption
• The role of iron oxidases in iron homeostasis
• Regulation of iron absorption and body iron recycling
• Population and clinical studies of haemochromatosis
• Iron homeostasis in the perinatal period (in pregnancy and newborns)
• The relationship between iron and Pseudomonas infections in cystic fibrosis

Staff

Group Leader: Professor Greg Anderson

Emeritus Fellow: Professor Lawrie Powell

Team Head: Dr David Reid

Research Officers: Dr Deepak Darshan, Dr David Frazer

Research Assistants: Kelly Boorman, Jeanette Dixon, Julie-Kaye Ghazali, Naralee Houston, Leticia Rawlings, Teresa Steele, Sarah Wilkins