Paul Elkington

Professor Paul Elkington is a clinician scientist and Professor of Medicine at the University of Southampton's Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity. He serves as Director of the Institute for Medical Innovation and leads the tuberculosis research group, studying an infection that continues to kill four thousand people daily. His work combines clinical practice with cross-disciplinary research using bioengineering approaches to identify new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for tuberculosis.

Elkington's research interests focus on tuberculosis immunopathology, diagnosis, and matrix metalloproteinases. His group has made key achievements including identifying the enzymes that destroy lungs in human TB, developing a biomimetic 3-dimensional cell culture model of TB, performing detailed proteomic profiling studies, demonstrating how cancer immunotherapy can reactivate TB infection, and identifying new host-directed therapy targets. His research is highly interdisciplinary, combining engineering approaches such as bioelectrospray methodology and novel proteomic techniques.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on tuberculosis pathogenesis, diagnostic biomarkers, and the intersection of immunotherapy with infectious diseases. The research shows a clear progression toward developing novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches through interdisciplinary collaboration between immunology, microbiology, and bioengineering.

Scientific Awards:

• MBE for services to Medicine (2020)
• Royal Academy of Engineering President's Award (2020)
• Vice-Chancellor's Award (2020)
• Shine a Light Award (2020)
• David Barker Award for Medical Research (2022)

Professor Elkington actively supervises PhD students in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity and provides clinical teaching to medical students, junior doctors, and allied health professionals. He has secured significant funding from the MRC, Rosetrees Trust, PHE, NIHR and MRF. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he initiated and co-directed the PeRSo project, which provided over 5,000 respirators to staff at Southampton General Hospital. He also serves as secretary to the Acid Fast Club, the national tuberculosis research association.

His laboratory work includes the Precision Biosciences Innovation Hub, Institute for Life Sciences, Microfluidics and Sensors, and Innate Immunity research groups, where his team develops innovative approaches to studying tuberculosis pathogenesis and treatment.