The Collectin Protein Family and Its Multiple Biological Activities (PDF)

Unit, Department of Biochemistry. He was an MRC/INSERM Research Fellow at Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires in Grenoble, then returned to Oxford as a group leader in the MRC Immunochemistry Unit. His research interests are focused on the structure and functions of complement and other innate immune system proteins, and their interactions with microorganisms, altered host cells and macromolecules, and with synthetic materials. With more than 500 publications, Prof Sim is considered a pioneer figure in the field of complement and collectin research.



Taruna Madan has immensely contributed to the biomedical research on human Collectins and deciphered their relevance in host defence, cancer surveillance and reproductive health. She established the therapeutic potential of collectins viz. SP-A, SP-D and MBL against the fungal pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus. Discovery of a direct anti-cancer role of SP-D by her team in leukemic and breast cancer cells via p53 and HMGA1 was subsequently validated by other groups using pancreatic, prostate and ovarian tumor cells. With an aim to develop a vaginal microbicide for HIV-1, she established the potent and broad-spectrum anti-HIV-1 activity of SP-D and elucidated SP-D-mediated reversal of HIV-1-induced pro-inflammatory gene signature. Taking cues from the significance of immunoregulation in pregnancy and male fertility, she demonstrated critical roles of collectins in the embryo implantation, placental development, preeclampsia and spermatogenesis. Clinical studies by her group in HIV-1 sero-discordants, preeclamptic women and infertile men have endorsed the translational potential of SP-D. She has authored over 100 research publications, and 9 granted patents (Google scholar citations 3600, h-index 27 and i10 index 54). Dr Madan has several national and international collaborations, including with Brunel University London, MRC Immunochemistry Unit, Oxford, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA, and Pasteur Institut, Paris, France.