Professor Jesmond Dalli: Decoding Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) – From Marine Biology to Resolution Pharmacology

In this episode of the SPM Podcast, host we welcome Professor Jesmond Dalli, a leading expert in the field of resolution pharmacology and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs).

Dr. Dalli is Professor of Molecular Pharmacology at the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London. He directs the Dalli Lab (also known as the Lipid Mediator Unit) at the William Harvey Research Institute, the Lab is called the "jdallilab"

His research team focuses on the biology of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) — including resolvins, protectins, and maresins — and their critical roles in regulating innate immunity, promoting tissue repair and regeneration, resolving inflammation, and restoring homeostasis without impairing host defense.

The work has significant therapeutic implications for chronic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, arthritis, infections, and impaired healing.

Guest Background Dr Jesmond Dalli

education: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology, followed by a Master of Science in Biology (with marine biology focus) from the University of Malta.

PhD: Completed at the William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, under Professor Mauro Perretti, focusing on the molecular pharmacology of inflammation.

Postdoctoral training: Joined the lab of Professor Charles Serhan at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Rose to Instructor and co-directed NIH-funded lipid mediator metabolomics courses. This period deepened expertise in SPM discovery and actions.

Current role: Leads an independent research program back at Queen Mary University of London, with over 170 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals (e.g., Nature Medicine, Immunity, Science Translational Medicine).

Key contributions: Advancing "resolution pharmacology" — understanding how inflammation naturally ends and leveraging SPM pathways for new therapies.

Episode overview : The introduction highlights Dr. Dalli as one of the key architects in the field, with personal anecdotes about his journey from Malta, career moves, mentors, and transition from marine biology interests to lipid mediator research.

Topics covered include: Core Science of SPMs: What SPMs are (resolvins, protectins, maresins, etc.), their mechanisms (reprogramming cellular responses to resolve inflammation actively rather than suppress it), promotion of tissue regeneration, bacterial clearance in specific contexts, and restoration of homeostasis.

Emphasis on them as positive regulators that balance inflammation without compromising defense.

Broader Biological Impact: Beyond acute inflammation resolution — roles in maintaining health/homeostasis in tissues even without overt inflammation; potential in chronic diseases.

Research Philosophy & Future Directions: SPMs as context-specific mediators; ongoing work on homeostasis; therapeutic potential ("resolution pharmacology").

Supplements and the use of AI in SPM science Ending on a personal note.

These topics make the episode valuable for researchers, clinicians, or anyone interested in inflammation resolution, lipid mediators, and translational medicine.

Dr. Jesmond Dalli is a top voice in the field of bioactive lipids especially Specialized pro resolving mediators.

Lab Resources Website: jdallilab.com (or www.jdallilab.com)

X handle: @jdallilab

Dr. Charles N. Serhan part 1

Unlocking the Resolution of Inflammation: Pioneering Insights with the Father of Resolution Physiology

Welcome to the SPM podcast, the podcast about Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators. Subscribe, leave a comment, and share this episode with anyone passionate about cutting-edge science and better health outcomes.

Episode Summary : In this enlightening episode, we are honored to welcome one of the most influential scientists in inflammation research and the world leader in resolution biology: Dr. Charles N. Serhan. Often called the “father of resolution physiology,”

Dr. Serhan joins us to discuss his groundbreaking work on specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), the natural pathways that actively resolve inflammation, and the exciting potential of resolution pharmacology for treating chronic diseases, reperfusion injury, and beyond.

Dr. Serhan shares stories from his remarkable career, the discovery of novel lipid mediators like resolvins, protectins, and maresins, and how these molecules are transforming our understanding of inflammation—not as something to simply block, but to actively resolve and return tissues to homeostasis.

Guest Bio • Dr. Charles N. Serhan is the Simon Gelman Professor of Anaesthesia in Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

He directs the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury (CETRI) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where his team continues to push the boundaries of resolution pharmacology. •.

He completed postdoctoral training at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm under Nobel laureate Bengt Samuelsson. •

Dr. Serhan joined the Harvard faculty in 1987, and in 1995 he established the CETRI lab.

A prolific researcher with hundreds of publications, numerous patents, and international acclaim—including honorary degrees from Harvard, University College Dublin, and Queen Mary University of London •

Dr. Serhan is known not only for his scientific achievements but for his generous recognition of the many talented scientists who have trained and collaborated in his lab, many of whom now lead their own independent research programs.

Key Topics Covered : • The paradigm shift from anti-inflammation to pro-resolution biology.

Discovery and therapeutic potential of resolvins, protectins, maresins, and other SPMs.

Links between omega-3 fatty acids, diet, and resolution pathways

Applications in chronic inflammatory diseases, reperfusion injury, pain management, and perioperative care.

Future directions in resolution pharmacology

Follow the CETRI / Serhan Lab Twitter/X:@CNSerhanLab

Lab website: serhanlab.bwh.harvard.edu

Seminal Review: Serhan, C.N. Pro-resolving lipid mediators are leads for resolution physiology. Nature (2014). This highly influential review outlines the discovery and mechanisms of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), including resolvins, protectins, and maresins, and establishes their central role in actively resolving inflammation and restoring tissue homeostasis.

Recent Lecture: Watch Dr. Serhan’s presentation from the 2026 Oslo Inflammation Resolution Conference: “Pro-Resolving Chemical Mediators and Mechanisms in Resolution of Inflammation: Novel Resolvins for Resolution Medicine”

https://www.mn.uio.no/farmasi/english/research/news-and-events/events/conferences/inflammation-resolution-2026/Recordings%20of%20scientific%20presentations/ .

Dr. Charles N. Serhan part 1

Unlocking the Resolution of Inflammation: Pioneering Insights with the Father of Resolution Physiology

Welcome to the SPM podcast, the podcast about Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators. Subscribe, leave a comment, and share this episode with anyone passionate about cutting-edge science and better health outcomes.

Episode Summary : In this enlightening episode, we are honored to welcome one of the most influential scientists in inflammation research and the world leader in resolution biology: Dr. Charles N. Serhan. Often called the “father of resolution physiology,”

Dr. Serhan joins us to discuss his groundbreaking work on specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), the natural pathways that actively resolve inflammation, and the exciting potential of resolution pharmacology for treating chronic diseases, reperfusion injury, and beyond.

Dr. Serhan shares stories from his remarkable career, the discovery of novel lipid mediators like resolvins, protectins, and maresins, and how these molecules are transforming our understanding of inflammation—not as something to simply block, but to actively resolve and return tissues to homeostasis.

Guest Bio • Dr. Charles N. Serhan is the Simon Gelman Professor of Anaesthesia in Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

He directs the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury (CETRI) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where his team continues to push the boundaries of resolution pharmacology. •.

He completed postdoctoral training at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm under Nobel laureate Bengt Samuelsson. •

Dr. Serhan joined the Harvard faculty in 1987, and in 1995 he established the CETRI lab.

A prolific researcher with hundreds of publications, numerous patents, and international acclaim—including honorary degrees from Harvard, University College Dublin, and Queen Mary University of London •

Dr. Serhan is known not only for his scientific achievements but for his generous recognition of the many talented scientists who have trained and collaborated in his lab, many of whom now lead their own independent research programs.

Key Topics Covered : • The paradigm shift from anti-inflammation to pro-resolution biology.

Discovery and therapeutic potential of resolvins, protectins, maresins, and other SPMs.

Links between omega-3 fatty acids, diet, and resolution pathways

Applications in chronic inflammatory diseases, reperfusion injury, pain management, and perioperative care.

Future directions in resolution pharmacology

Follow the CETRI / Serhan Lab Twitter/X:@CNSerhanLab

Lab website: serhanlab.bwh.harvard.edu

Seminal Review: Serhan, C.N. Pro-resolving lipid mediators are leads for resolution physiology. Nature (2014). This highly influential review outlines the discovery and mechanisms of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), including resolvins, protectins, and maresins, and establishes their central role in actively resolving inflammation and restoring tissue homeostasis.

Recent Lecture: Watch Dr. Serhan’s presentation from the 2026 Oslo Inflammation Resolution Conference: “Pro-Resolving Chemical Mediators and Mechanisms in Resolution of Inflammation: Novel Resolvins for Resolution Medicine”

https://www.mn.uio.no/farmasi/english/research/news-and-events/events/conferences/inflammation-resolution-2026/Recordings%20of%20scientific%20presentations/ .