Magic in the Lab: Tonsil Fairy’s Big Find

A discovery has emerged from recent research funded by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. Megan Clapperton, affectionately known as the “Tonsil Fairy” for her research into tonsils, has identified a protein previously unknown in tonsillar disease, that is likely to play a role in cases of recurrent tonsillitis.

This groundbreaking research, which Megan carried out at the University of Strathclyde, could pave the way for an improved understanding of this common, yet troublesome, condition.

“This work shows the potential to use the protein as a biomarker for tonsillitis – i.e. a way to tell if a patient has tonsillitis or not. It also provides a new insight into the reaction tonsils have when bacteria try to invade.”

Megan Clapperton

In addition to the findings around the protein, Megan’s research has also shed light on the role of biofilms in tonsilitis. Biofilms are communities of bacteria, more resistant to antibiotics than normal bacteria.

Using a specialist microscope called a Mesolens, Megan was able to observe unusually large volumes of bacteria and biofilms on tonsils, following tonsillectomy.

“We have shown that biofilms were present in all diseased tonsils on both the surface and the interior of the tonsil. This new way of studying diseases in human tissue may prove useful in understanding the role of biofilms in other diseases and infections.”

As one of only a few researchers looking into tonsilitis in the UK, Megan’s findings have garnered interest from scientists worldwide and have recently been published in the Journal of Microscopy, with more professional publications on the horizon.

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