Metabolic Vascular Disease
Endothelial cell biology
The endothelium is a metabolically-active organ that plays key roles in a wide portfolio of processes. Under healthy conditions the endothelium helps regulate blood vessel tone and blood flow, as well as controlling inflammation and clotting. Our work is focused on how the endothelium becomes dysfunctional in cardiovascular disease, losing its normal functions. These alterations develop early and contribute to the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Using pre-clinical models and patient derived samples, our work aims to understand the mechanisms involved, identifying novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for people with cardiovascular disease.
Key Researchers –
Professor Mark Kearney
Dr Paul Meakin
Dr Lynn McKeown
Stephen Wheatcroft
Ion channels
Ion channels determine the flow of charged particles (ions) across cell membranes to enable electrical and calcium signalling for the control of our heartbeat, the blood perfusion of all our organs, and many other crucial bodily functions. We focus on the molecular mechanisms of specific types of ion channel (ORAI1, PIEZO1 and TRPC1/4/5) as we believe they m be able to help us address unsolved cardiovascular disease problems.
Key researchers –
Dr Mark Bailey
Professor David J Beech
Dr Robin Bon
Dr Eulashini Chuntharpursat-Bon
Dr Antreas Kalli
Dr Jian Shi
Metabolic physiology
Metabolism is a fundamental physiological process of life. It is the way in which small molecules are produced to synthesise macromolecular building blocks or cells and tissues. It is also the way the body breaks down molecules for reuse or to produce energy to power cellular functions. This network of metabolic interactions is tightly regulated and requires communication across different tissues and organs within the body. In Leeds, we study these metabolic inter-organ communications networks, with a particular focus on adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and liver, to understand how they are perturbed in cardiometabolic disease. We aim to identify new mechanisms of disease and find new treatments for obesity, diabetes and closely linked cardiovascular complications.
Key researchers –
Scott Bowen
Dr Amanda MacCannell
Professor Lee Roberts