Jesmond Dalli

Professor Jesmond Dalli is a Professor of Molecular Pharmacology at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, and Director of the Lipid Mediator Unit at the William Harvey Research Institute. His research focuses on specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM), their roles in inflammation resolution, and their therapeutic potential in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disorders, and infections. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry and Biology and an M.Sc. in Biology from the University of Malta, followed by a Ph.D. at Queen Mary University of London under Prof. Mauro Perretti. Postdoctoral training included work at Harvard Medical School with Prof. Charles N. Serhan.

• Education:
  • B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry and Biology, University of Malta
  • M.Sc. in Biology, University of Malta
  • Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology, Queen Mary University of London
• Research Interests:
  • SPM biology and therapeutic applications
  • Immune regulation and inflammation resolution
  • Lipid mediator signaling pathways
  • Clinical biomarkers for disease stratification

His lab explores how SPMs modulate immune cell functions, particularly monocytes/macrophages, and their roles in conditions like arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and infections. Key projects include investigating vagal nerve regulation of SPM production, diurnal rhythms in lipid mediators, and receptor mechanisms (e.g., GPR101) mediating SPM actions. Collaborations with clinical groups aim to translate SPM biomarkers for personalized medicine, such as predicting responses to rheumatoid arthritis treatments.

Major funders include Wellcome Trust, Versus Arthritis, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. He leads a team of researchers including Dr. Duco Koenis and Dr. Roberta De Matteis, and collaborates with institutions like Harvard Medical School and UCSD. Notable awards include the Sir Henry Dale Fellowship and Eicosanoid Research Foundation Prize.

• Awards:
  • Eicosanoid Research Foundation Young Investigator Prize
  • Sir Henry Dale Fellowship
  • William Harvey Young Investigator Award
  • IADR/AADR William J. Gies Award
• Grants & Sponsors:
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Barts Charity
  • Versus Arthritis
  • UK Research and Innovation

His lab’s work bridges basic science and clinical application, with recent advances in SPM-based therapies for joint repair (e.g., MCTR3) and cardiovascular protection (e.g., RvT4). Ongoing studies explore SPM responses to omega-3 supplements and their diagnostic utility in diseases like COVID-19 and rheumatoid arthritis.