Prof Andrew Devitt

Chair in Inflammatory Cell Biology

Head of Biomedical & Biological Sciences

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology

Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science

Director of Research for the Cell & Tissue Biomedical Research Group

School of Life and Health Sciences
Aston University
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
B4 7ET
UK

email: a.devitt1@aston.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0) 121 204 4165
fax: +44 (0) 121 204 4187
Book an appointment here

We welcome enquiries from PhD-qualified researchers from all countries outside the UK wishing to apply for a European Commission-funded Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship to come to work with us at Aston. Subject areas might include inflammation, extracellular vesicles, cell death and the regulation of innate immune responses. Please contact Andrew Devitt for further details.

Research Group

Cell & Tissue Biomedical Research

Research Centre

Member of the Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing

Member of the Biology and Pharmacy Teaching Programmes

UK Centre for Bioscience Representative

Tweets by @DrDevitt

Research Interests

Apoptotic cell-derived extracellular vesicles (ACdEV) – structure/function relationships

Molecular mechanisms underlying recognition and clearance of apoptotic cell and pathogens

Monocyte and macrophage biology and innate immunity

Monocytes and macrophages in ageing and cardiovascular disease

Apoptosis & Identification of apoptotic cells
Extracellular vesicles (EV) – understanding the molecular mechanisms of tissue homeostasis and repair.

Projects and Funding

2016 – 2019	Refining an in vitro system of predictive biomarkers of in vivo liposome efficacy. Nc3Rs £90,000.
2015 – 2019	Secretome of canine mesenchymal stem cells. BBSRC iCASE £90,000. Co-I with Dr WEB Johnson.
2018	Towards defining the functional surface of EV in dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK £70,000.
2015 – 2018	How death influences life: Unlocking the apoptotic cell-derived extracellular vesicle (acdEV) and linking composition to immune function. BBSRC responsive mode grant: £555,823). Collaborative grant with co-Is Dr Sam Griffiths-Jones (Manchester); Profs Griffiths & Perrie (Aston) and Prof Charles Serhan (Harvard Medical School, Boston, US).
2014 - 2018	A2D: attracted to death -understanding how extracellular vesicles interact with the immune system. BBSRC iCASE £94,126.
2013 – 2014	Towards an in vitro system of predictive biomarkers of in vivo liposome efficacy. Nc3Rs £74,625.
2013	Drawn towards death – understanding this morbid fascination. British Society for Cell Biology: Studentship.
2012	Characterisation of transglutaminase-2 activity on human macrophages and its role in chemoattraction to apoptotic bodies released during cell death. Wellcome Trust Studentship.
2009 - 2012	Evaluation of monocyte/macrophage function throughout the ageing process. BBSRC Targeted Priority Studentship.

2009 – 2012	Analysis of the role of transglutaminase 2 in a macrophage function. Aston University Bursary Scheme.
2008 – 2011	Characterisation of the innate immune system in the clearance of apoptotic cells. Aston University Studentship.
2007 - 2010	Investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying the role of ICAM-3 in the phagocytic clearance of apoptotic leukocytes. BBSRC Research Grant £444,088.
2009	Characterisation of the molecular constitution of apoptotic bodies released during cell death and their role in macrophage chemoattraction. Biochemical Society Studentship.
2009	A versatile stem cell model of Alzheimer's disease. Co-applicant with Prof. Coleman, Dr. Eric Hill and Dr Ann Vernallis