Douglas Research Group

Our diverse research group is composed of surgeons, medical fellows, scientists, research nurses and medical students. The focus of our research has been the interaction between the local immunity of the nasal and sinus mucosa and the microbes that are associated with chronic rhinosinusitis. This condition is characterised by its intractability despite treatment with prolonged courses of antibiotics. Chronic rhinosinusitis is a cause of enormous morbidity in the Western world, and increasing efficacy of its treatments would bring very significant benefits. Our research projects are now a mix of laboratory-based work with our scientist collaborators in the University of Auckland and clinical trials. Our research team is currently extending our investigation of the role of the microbiome in the pathogenesis of conditions from the nasal sinuses into other areas of the head, neck and respiratory system, such as olfactory function, the stability of the upper and lower microbiome in patients with cystic fibrosis, the oral mucosa and the middle ear mucosa.