The study, led by Professor Linda Wooldridge in Bristol Veterinary School, will investigate why stem cell transplantation, which is used to treat blood cancers, cures the disease in some patients but can fail or cause severe side effects in others.
As a qualified vet, Professor Wooldridge was fascinated by diseases in dogs and how to better treat them through research into the immune system. Her work led her from the canine world to exploring human immunology, and ultimately into vital research that could help patients with blood disorders such as leukaemia.
Together with a dedicated team of researchers, she is setting out to explore how morbidity and mortality rates for patients who undergo stem cell transplants could potentially be improved using her extensive knowledge of T-cell biology gained during years spent examining patient samples.