BSMS > Research > Our researchers > Prof Somnath Mukhopadhyay

Professor Somnath Mukhopadhyay

MD, PhD, FRCPCH

Chair in Paediatrics

Area of Expertise

Paediatrics - the gene-environmental interactions that regulate eczema and asthma in childhood

Research Area(s)

Paediatrics, Infection & Immunology

+44 (0)1273 696955 x2397

s.mukhopadhyay@
bsms.ac.uk

Divisional Assistant:
Judy Keogh
+44 (0)1273 696955 x2409
DA.Paediatrics@
bsms.ac.uk

Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital
Brighton, BN2 5BE

Biography

Fellow, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2001

Clinical senior lecturer (honorary consultant) in Children’s Respiratory Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, Maternal and Child Health Sciences, University of Dundee, 1997-2007

Wellcome Trust Advanced Research Training Fellow (honorary senior registrar), Department of Child Health, University of Dundee, 1994-1997

Clinical lecturer (honorary senior registrar), Department of Child Health, University of Dundee, 1992-1994

Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Research Fellow (honorary registrar), Royal Hospital for Sick Children, University of Bristol, 1989-1992

Education

MB BS University of Calcutta, India, 1983

Research focus

In a landmark discovery published in Nature Genetics 2006, we described a novel mechanism causing eczema and asthma in children. Subsequent to this, I have described the role of this gene defect on a number of aspects of the development of allergy and asthma in children, e.g. the development of more severe asthma, or interactions with exposure to allergens from pets. The discovery of the role of this protein change, and its subsequent characterization, has potential for future treatments that could reduce the risk of developing eczema and asthma in children.

In another important discovery published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, impact factor 9.2 and reported prominently by Radio 4, ABC, and in paper editions of all leading newspapers in the UK in October 2009, I led research into the detection of a gene change that substantially reduces the efficacy of the commonest asthma medicine, the 'blue inhaler', in children. I have now completed a randomized controlled trial further testing this hypothesis. The results, expected for publication this year, are likely to generate further international interest.

Current research

Our current research aims to further unravel the wider picture of gene-environment interactions and their role in guiding treatment for childhood eczema and asthma.

Active collaborations

Research team

Current/recent laboratory funding/grants

Department of Health (Research for patient benefit project grant). A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of an allergy intervention for children with asthma and rhinitis in General Practice (with Helen Smith, Brighton and Sussex Medical School). 2009-2012: £250K
Exploring the cause of allergy in early childhood: role of filaggrin mutations: SPARKS (lead applicant – SM; with Paul Seddon, Heike Rabe (BSMS), Colin Palmer (Dundee)). 2009-2011: £200K
Genetic markers of sputum MMP activity in COPD and asthma: Translational Medicine Research Consortium (Wyeth, Scottish universities) (with Colin Palmer, John Winter, Dundee). 2009-2011: £150K
A Proof-of-Concept Study to evaluate the benefit from add-on therapy with montelukast versus salmeterol in children with asthma carrying the Arg/Arg-16 β2-receptor genotype (lead applicant – SM; with Brian Lipworth and Colin Palmer) Merck Sharpe and Dohme. 2007-2010: £153K
A pilot study of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 12 polymorphisms, MMP-12 protein expression and clinical outcomes in asthma: Translational Medicine Research Consortium (Wyeth, Scottish universities) (lead applicant SM; with Colin Palmer, John Winter, Dundee). 2009-1009: £170K
Development of Siglec-based biomarkers in inflammation: Translational Medicine Research Consortium (Wyeth, Scottish universities) (with Paul Crocker, Dundee). 2008-2009: £250K
Children of 2008 Cohort Tracking Gene-Environment Interactions in relation to allergy: Trustees of Rockinghorse Brighton (lead applicant SM). 2008-2009: £40K
Establishing a database to study gene-environment interactions and pharmacogenomics for asthma among Scottish children Chief Scientist Office project grant (with Steve Turner, Aberdeen and colleagues). 2008-2010: £400K
Verus Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, US A Randomised, Open-Label, Active-Controlled, Two-Period Crossover Study to Evaluate Relative Efficacy and Safety of Investigational Captisol-Enabled Budesonide Inhalation Solution (CBIS) Delivered via eFlow Nebuliser and Conventional Budesonide Inhalation Suspension (Pulmicort Respules) Delivered via LC Plus Jet Nebuliser in Children with Mild-to-Moderate Persistent Asthma (with Brian Lipworth, Medicine and Therapeutics). 2006-2009: £155K

Selected publications

Koster ES, Maitland-van der Zee A-H, Tavendale R, Mukhopadhyay S, Vijverberg S.J.H, Raaijmakers J.A.M. & Palmer C.N.A. FCER2 T2206C variant associated with chronic symptoms and exacerbations in steroid-treated asthmatic children. Allergy 2011; 66: 1546–1552. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Cunningham J, Basu K, Tavendale R, Palmer CN, Smith H, Mukhopadhyay S. The CHI3L1 rs4950928 polymorphism is associated with asthma-related hospital admissions in children and young adults. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2011 May; 106(5): 381-386 Epub 2011 Mar 12

Turner SW, Ayres JG, Macfarlane TV, Mehta A, Mehta G, Palmer CN, Cunningham S, Adams T, Aniruddhan K, Bell C, Corrigan D, Cunningham J, Duncan A, Hunt G, Leece R, MacFadyen U, McCormick J, McLeish S, Mitra A, Miller D, Waxman E, Webb A, Wojcik S, Mukhopadhyay S, Macgregor D. A methodology to establish a database to study gene environment interactions for childhood asthma. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2010 Dec 6; 10:107

Lipworth B, Mukhopadhyay S, Palmer C. N. Step-up therapy for children with uncontrolled asthma. New England Journal of Medicine 2010 Jul 1;363(1):91

Williams B, Hoskins G, Row J, Neville R, Mukhopadhyay S, Coyle J. Low exercise tolerance among children with asthma – a culture of over protection? A qualitative study of experiences and beliefs. British Journal of General Practice 2010 Aug; 60(577): 578-583

Mukhopadhyay S., Sypek J., Tavendale R., Gartner U., Winter J., Li W., Page K., Fleming M., Brady J., O’Toole M., Macgregor D.F., Goldman S., Tam S., Abraham W., Williams C., Miller D.K., Palmer C.N.A. Matrix metalloproteinase-12 is a therapeutic target for asthma in children and young adults Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2010; 126:70-6

Basu K, Nair A, Williamson PA, Mukhopadhyay S, Lipworth BJ. Airway and systemic effects of soluble and suspension formulations of nebulized budesonide in asthmatic children. Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology 2009;103(5):436-41.

Basu K, Palmer CN, Tavendale R, Lipworth BJ, Mukhopadhyay S. Adrenergic beta(2)-receptor genotype predisposes to exacerbations in steroid-treated asthmatic patients taking frequent albuterol or salmeterol. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2009 Dec;124(6):1188-1194.

Williams B., Corlett J., Dowell J., Coyle J., Mukhopadhyay S. “I’ve never not had it so I don’t really know what it’s like not to.” Non-difference and biographical disruption among children and young people with cystic fibrosis. Qualitative Health Research 2009; 19(10):1433-1455.

Bisgaard H., Simpson A., Palmer C.N.A., Bønnelykke K., Mclean I., Mukhopadhyay S., Pipper C.B., Halkjaer L.B., Lipworth B., Hankinson J., Woodcock A., Custovic A. Gene-Environment Interaction in the Penetrance of Eczema in Infancy Replicated in Two Birth-Cohort Studies: Filaggrin Loss-of-Function Mutations Triggered by Cat Exposure. PLOS Medicine 2008 Jun 24;5(6):e131.

Henderson J., Northstone K., Lee S., Liao H, Zhao Y., Pembrey M., Mukhopadhyay S., Davey Smith G., Palmer C.N.A., Irwin McLean W.H., Irvine A. D. The burden of disease associated with filaggrin mutations: a population based, longitudinal birth cohort study. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2008; 121(4):872-877.

Basu K., Palmer C.N.A., Lipworth B. J., McLean W.H. I., Terron-Kwiatkowski A., Zhao Y., Liao H., Smith F.D.J., Mitra A., Mukhopadhyay S. Filaggrin Null Mutations Are Associated With Increased Asthma Exacerbations In Children And Young Adults. Allergy 2008; 63(9):1211-1217.

Tavendale R., Macgregor D F, Mukhopadhyay S., Palmer C.N.A. A polymorphism controlling ORMDL3 expression is associated with asthma that is poorly controlled by current medications. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2008;121 (4):860-3.

Williams B, Mukhopadhyay S, Dowell J, Coyle J. From child to adult: An exploration of shifting family roles and responsibilities in managing physiotherapy for cystic fibrosis. Social Science & Medicine 2007 Nov;65(10):2135-46.

Williams B, Mukhopadhyay S, Dowell J, Coyle J. Problems and solutions: accounts by parents and children of adhering to chest physiotherapy for cystic fibrosis. Disability and Rehabilitation 2007 Jul 30;29(14):1097-1105.

Jovanovic S., Du1 O., Mukhopadhyay S., Swingler R., Buckley R., McEachen J., Jovanovic A. A Patient Suffering from Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis is Deficient in Skeletal Muscle ATP-sensitive K+ channels. Clinical and Translational Science 2008;1(1):71-74..

Palmer CN, Ismail T, Lee SP, Terron-Kwiatkowski A, Zhao Y, Liao H, Smith FJ, McLean WH, Mukhopadhyay S. Filaggrin null mutations are associated with increased asthma severity in children and young adults. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2007 Jul;120(1):64-68.

Palmer CNA, Irvine AD, Terron-Kwiatkowski A, Zhao Y, Liao H, Lee SP, Goudie DR,Sandilands A, Campbell LE, Smith FJD, O’Regan GM, Watson RM, Cecil JE, Bale SJ, Compton JG, DiGiovanna JJ, Fleckman P, Lewis-Jones S, Arseculeratne G, Sergeant A, Munro CS, El Houate B, McElreavey K, Halkjaer LB, Bisgaard H, Mukhopadhyay S, McLean WH. Common loss-of-function variants of the epidermal barrier protein filaggrin are a major predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis. Nature Genetics 2006;38(4):441-446.

Palmer CNA, Lipworth B, Lee S, Ismail T, Macgregor DF, Mukhopadhyay S. The Arg16 β₂ Receptor Genotype Increases Exacerbation Risk In Children With Asthma On Salmeterol. Thorax 2006;61:940-944.

Palmer CNA, Doney ASF, Lee SP, Murrie I, Ismail T, Macgregor DF, Mukhopadhyay S. Glutathione-S-transferase M1 and P1 genotype, passive smoking and peak expiratory flow in asthma. Pediatrics 2006;118:710-716.

Palmer CNA, Ismail T, Lee S, Murrie I, Crighton A, Mukhopadhyay S. PPARG locus haplotype variation and exacerbations in asthma. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2007;81(5):713-718 .

Aird FK, Ogston SA, Macdonald TM, Greene SA, Mukhopadhyay S. Serum vitamin A concentrations correlate with lung function in cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis 2006;5:129-131.

Ibrahim M, Ogston S, Crombie I, Alhasso D, Mukhopadhyay S. Greater knowledge gain with structured than student-directed learning in pediatrics: cluster randomized trial Medical Teacher 2006;28(3):239-243.

Mitra A, Crighton A, Ogston S, Mukhopadhyay S. Raised lung volumes and fixed airflow limitation in children with asthma Allergy and Clinical Immunology International – Journal of the World Allergy Organisation 2006;18(5):203-206.

Bhattacharyya NG, Ogston S, Mukherjee DK, Bandopadhyay S, Sabui TK, Mukhopadhyay S. Family income influences height and fat free mass in girls but not boys in Kolkata: a population-based study Acta Paediatrica 2007 May;96(5):774-775.

Kastner-Cole D, Palmer CNA, Mehta A, Ogston S, Mukhopadhyay S. Obesity and overweight in ?F508 cystic fibrosis. Journal of Pediatrics 2005;147(3):402-404.

Jani M, Ogston S, Mukhopadhyay S. Annual increase in body mass index in children with asthma on higher doses of inhaled steroids: 12 month retrospective study Journal of Pediatrics 2005;147(4):549-551.

Mistry R, Wickramasingha N, Ogston S, Singh M, Devasiri V, Mukhopadhyay S. Wheeze and urban variation in South Asia. European Journal of Paediatrics 2004;163:145-147.

V Alexander, S Ogston, C Booker, L Irvine, S Mukhopadhyay Using practical outcomes to measure clinical performance in the children’s asthma clinic. Clinical Governance: An International Journal 2003;8(4):308-311.

AD Mitra, S Ogston, A Crighton, S Mukhopadhyay Lung function and asthma symptoms in children: relationships and response to treatment. Acta Paediatrica 2002;91:789-792.

S Mukhopadhyay, KA Macleod, TJ Ong, SA Ogston “Ethnic” variation in childhood lung function may relate to preventable nutritional deficiency. Acta Paediatrica 2001;90:1299-1303.

Fat absorption in cystic fibrosis after correction of hypokalaemia. Hunter I, Stewart L, Mukhopadhyay S Lancet 2000;355:900 (research letter).

Effect of hospital asthma nurse appointment on inpatient asthma care. Smith E, Alexander V, Booker C, McCowan C, Ogston S, Mukhopadhyay S Respiratory Medicine 2000;94:82-86.

Preferential distribution of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in phosphatidylethanolamine fraction of guinea pig alveolar apical membranes. Mukhopadhyay S, Muimo R, Campbell FM, Gordon MJ, Monaghan AS, Dutta-Roy AK Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 2000;62(6):341-348.

A systematic review of anti-staphylococcal antibiotic therapy in CF. McCaffery K, R.E. Olver, M. Franklin, Mukhopadhyay S Thorax 1999;54:380-383.

G protein-coupled prostaglandin receptor modulates conductive Na+ uptake in lung apical membrane vesicles. Mukhopadhyay S, Dutta-Roy AK, Fyfe GK, Olver RE, Kemp PJ 1998 American Journal of Physiology 1998;274:L567-572.

Prediction of lung function in the inadequately nourished. Ong TJ, Mehta A, Ogston S, Mukhopadhyay S. Archives of Disease in Childhood 1998;79(1):18-21.

Regulation of G proteins in fetal guinea pig lung apical membrane by fatty acids: implications for alveolar Na⁺ conductance. Mukhopadhyay S, Ramminger S, McLaughlin M, Gambling L, Olver RE, Kemp PJ. Biochemical Journal 1997;326:725-730.

Early focal chest x-ray changes and respiratory prognosis in children with CF. Mukhopadhyay S, Kirby ML, Duncan AW, Carswell F British Journal of Radiology 1996;69:122-125.

Nebulized anti-pseudomonal antibiotic therapy in CF: a meta-analysis of benefits and risks. Mukhopadhyay S, Singh M, Cater JI, Ogston S, Franklin M, Olver RE Thorax 1996;51:364-368.

The Quantitative Distribution of Nebulised Antibiotic in the Lung in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Mukhopadhyay S, Staddon GE, Eastman C, Palmer M, Rhys Davies E, Carswell F. Respiratory Medicine 1994;88:203-211.

Assessment of Potential Ototoxicity following high-dose nebulized tobramycin in patients with CF. Mukhopadhyay S, Baer S, Blanshard J, Coleman M, Carswell F. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 1993;31:429-436.

Cerebral arteriovenous malformation, Ondine’s curse and Hirschsprung’s disease. Mukhopadhyay S, Wilkinson P Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 1990;32:1087-1089.