My interests cover a range of topics which normally can be grouped under the heading 'cell signalling systems in invertebrates' and I tend to approach research questions from the perspective of a biochemist/cell biologist. Most recently, I have been interested in how phagocytosis contributes to cell-mediated immunity, using a model insect, Manduca sexta. We have been examining phagocytosis of bacteria in vitro with a view to understanding the cellular and biochemical mechanisms by which the phenomenon is initiated and regulated.

de Winter P, Rayne RC, and Coast GM (2007) The effects of intracellular signalling pathway inhibitors on phagocytosis by haemocytes of Manduca sexta. J Insect Physiol. 53 (10), 975-982. Cash D, Beech JS, Rayne RC, Bath PMW, Meldrum BS, and Williams SCR (2001) Neuroprotective effect of aminoguanidine on transient focal ischaemia in the rat brain. Brain Research 905(1-2), 91-103. Lam W, Coast GM, and Rayne RC (2000) Characterisation of multiple trypsins from the midgut of Locusta migratoria. Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 30 (1), 85-94. Cash D., Beech J.S., Rayne R.C., Bath P.M.W., Meldrum B.S., and Williams S.C.R. (2001) Neuroprotective effect of aminoguanidine on transient focal ischaemia in the rat brain. Brain Research 905(1-2), 91-103. Lam, W., Coast, G.M. and Rayne, R.C. (2000) Characterisation of multiple trypsins from the midgut of Locusta migratoria. Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 30 (1), 85-94.