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Biography |
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Prof. Graham A. W. Rook, BA MB BChir MD FIBiol, studied basic natural sciences at the University of Cambridge, UK, before qualifying in clinical medicine in the University of London. Since 1994 Prof. Rook has held the post of professor of Medical Microbiology at University College London. Graham’s research yielded more than 290 peer-reviewed publications and more than 80 other reviews and book chapters. The theme of his research was initially the immunopathology of tuberculosis. His approach is interdisciplinary, with emphasis on integrative physiology resulting in publications on endocrinology, immunology, microbiology and neuroscience. Currently G.R.’s dominant interest is Darwinian Medicine, thus trying to understand why the lifestyle of rich, developed countries leads to rapid increases in the incidences of allergies, autoimmune disease and inflammatory bowel disease. In rich, developed countries reduced exposure to environmental microorganisms that were a part of human evolutionary history is contributing to faulty regulation of the immune system, thus increasing the risk of these and other chronic inflammatory disorders. This has led to clinical trials and publications in the field of allergic disorders which sought to identify treatments that can help developing countries avoid the same disease patterns as their economies developed. He co-founded a biotech company, ‘Silence Therapeutics plc.’, and is co-inventor of more than 20 patents.
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Abstract |
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Frightening increases in the incidences of serious chronic inflammatory disorders in rich industrialised countries involve defective regulation of the immune system. This defect is in part due to depletion of microorganisms and parasites that accompanied man throughout evolution, and have evolved essential roles in setting up the mechanisms that regulate and terminate immune responses. In the absence of these organisms inappropriate inflammation can persist. The situation is aggravated by other environmental factors that will be discussed |
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