Rob Nibbs

Biography

Rob Nibbs is currently working as a Professor in the Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation

Research Interest

Our research is broadly aimed at understanding the biological and pathological roles played by chemokines and their receptors. These important molecules control leukocyte migration and function, and are implicated in a spectrum of diseases, from allergy and autoimmunity, to cancer and infectious disease. We study several chemokine receptors, but we are particularly focused on dissecting the biochemical, physiological, and pathological function of ‘atypical’ chemokine receptors (ACKRs). Our work has revealed that these unusual molecules do not directly mediate leukocyte migration, but instead act to control chemokine abundance and distribution to regulate responses mediated by conventional chemokine receptors. ACKRs are emerging as key regulators of chemokine networks in a range of developmental, homeostatic, and inflammatory contexts, and our work has led us to study diverse biological processes, including reproduction, infection, tissue inflammation, adaptive immune responses, and the development of cancer. Our studies have also nurtured an ongoing interest in the biology of lymphatic endothelial cells. These cells, which are prominent sites of ACKR expression, line lymphatic vessels and control the movement of immune cells, pathogens, molecules and metastatic cells from tissues to lymph nodes. Productive collaborations are established with researchers locally, nationally and internationally, and our research has been generously supported by several biomedical funding agencies, including Cancer Research UK, Arthritis Research UK, MRC, BBSRC, and the Wellcome Trust.