David Thornton

David Thornton is a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Manchester, affiliated with the Wellcome Centre for Cell Matrix Research within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. He holds positions such as Deputy Director of the Wellcome Trust 4-year PhD program and Tissue Systems Section Head. His research focuses on mucin function in respiratory disease (e.g., asthma, cystic fibrosis) and intestinal nematode immunity, particularly using mouse models of Trichuriasis. Key collaborators include Prof. Richard Grencis.

Education: BSc and PhD in Biochemistry from Lancaster University (1980s). Career: Joined Manchester in 1987, progressing from research roles to academic staff in 2003. Leadership roles include Head of Postgraduate Research Progression and Deputy Associate Dean for Postgraduate Research Recruitment.

Research Themes:

• Role of MUC5AC/MUC5B in airways mucus dysfunction
• Mucin-driven expulsion of intestinal parasites via TH2 cytokine pathways
• Mucus barrier dynamics in disease

Grant Projects:

• Laser capture dissection for spatially-resolved -omics (2024-2025)
• Manchester Research Transforming Radiation Oncology Programme (2019-2024)

Advising: Supervised 18 graduate students (names unspecified). No scientific awards explicitly noted in provided text.

Lab Affiliations: Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, Lydia Becker Institute, Christabel Pankhurst Institute.