The Shaw Group studies the cell and molecular mechanisms of tissue repair and regeneration, with a particular focus on scarring/fibrosis including keloids. Our long-term goal is to have clinical impact, through discoveries of novel strategies to improve wound outcomes and skin health. We are proud to take a collaborative approach to these challenges, working with scientific, clinical, industry, charity and public/patient colleagues.

The group has a specific interest in fibroblast biology and extracellular matrix (ECM), keen to understand fibroblast plasticity and subtypes (which will be reflected in and influenced by their ECM). Exploiting the fibroblast and ECM variability across anatomical sites, and in health vs scars, we are also investigating how fibroblasts communicate, in part through the ECM they produce, with other cells in the skin/wound/scar microenvironment (e.g. immune cells). Significant energy is directed towards studying how fibroblasts (and other cells) in a keloid may communicate with nerves to trigger the debilitating itch and pain associated with keloid lesions.