Research Grants
We are proud to showcase the successful grant-funded projects that support our mission at the HAB to accelerate and enable high-quality, reproducible bioinformatics across the UK research ecosystem. These projects have been made possible through competitive funding schemes and reflect the collaborative effort between researchers, funding bodies, healthcare partners, and national infrastructure programmes.
The HAB contributes critical expertise in workflow development, training, data standards, and scalable computing. Below are some of the major grants and initiatives we have contributed to or been costed into as part of our commitment to delivering applied bioinformatics at scale.
The role of SETD1B in somatic hypermutation and germinal center physiology
Funder: BBSRC
Duration: Nov 2025 – Nov 2027
Lead Institution: KCL – Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology
Summary:
Somatic hypermutation is a crucial immune process where B cells mutate antibody genes to improve their ability to target antigens. This occurs in germinal centers and leads to adaptive immunity through cycles of mutation and selection. The proposal aims to study a key gene involved in this process and the structure of germinal centers.
Bioinformatics Workstreams: RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq Analysis
Investigating immune cell interactions in early fibrotic lung disease using spatial transcriptomics
Funder: Asthma and Lung UK
Duration: Dec 2024 – Nov 2026
Lead Institution: KCL – Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology
Summary:
This study investigates early immune cell activity in pulmonary fibrosis by analyzing lung tissue from patients with interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA), a potential precursor seen on CT scans. Using single-cell spatial transcriptomics and AI-based imaging tools, the research aims to identify cellular drivers and biomarkers of fibrosis progression, leading to a multi-omic predictive model and future clinical validation.
Bioinformatics Workstream: Spatial Transcriptomics (NanoString CosMX)
Unravelling the immune mechanisms of oral tolerance to find a cure for food allergy
Funder: MRC
Duration: July 2025 – July 2030
Lead Institution: KCL – Department of Women and Children’s Health
Summary:
Bioinformatics Workstream: Single Cell RNA-Seq
Yeast on our Skin: Decision Makers Between Homeostasis and Cutaneous Allergy
Funder: MRC
Duration: July 2025 – July 2030
Lead Institution: University of Exeter
Summary:
Bioinformatics Workstreams: Microbiome
