Cough is the most common symptom for which patients seek medical advice and it is estimated that cough costs the UK economy £1 billion each year. Despite this we know very little about the processes which lead to coughing and we do not have effective treatments for cough. Patients with chronic cough describe themselves as very sensitive to smoky atmospheres and temperature changes and even talking and laughing can trigger coughing. Much more is known about the pain pathways and how they become too sensitive, causing chronic pain. This programme of work draws on this knowledge to better understand how the nerves involved in the cough reflex can become over sensitive. New techniques will be developed for testing new treatments for this very common and troublesome symptom.