Dr Cédric Duval

Profile

I obtained my BSc in Physiology and Molecular Biology at the University of Rennes (France), before completing a MRes in Cellular Biology and Physiology, at the University of Nice (France) where I also spent time performing research at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. I subsequently studied for a 4-year Wellcome Trust PhD programme in Cellular and Molecular Physiology, at the University of Liverpool.

In 2010, I joined the laboratory of Prof Robert Ariëns, focussing on the roles of Fibrinogen and Factor XIII in the aethiology of thrombosis and thromboembolism.

I was awarded a BHF Intermediate Basic Science Research Fellowship in 2023, investigating the role of Factor XIII and its V34L sequence variant in inflammation-driven thrombosis.

I hold numerous national and international positions, such as Co-Chair of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Scientific SubCommittee (SSC) on FXIII and Fibrinogen (2022–2026), Committee member and Treasurer of the British Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis (BSHT) (2019 & 2024–present), and Review Editor for Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (Thrombosis) (2020–present).

Responsibilities

• Academic Lead for Laboratories, LICAMM
• Deputy Chair, School of Medicine Research Ethics Committee

Research interests

CURRENT PROJECTS

Molecular mechanisms of thromboinflammation

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western World. The ultimate cause of death in CVD patients is thrombosis (formation of abnormal blood clot) that can dislodge and stop blood flow to vital organs (thromboembolism). It is now becoming more and more apparent that inflammation may play a role in thromboembolism.

The primary focus of research in my laboratory is identifying the molecular and cellular mechanism(s) driving thromboinflammation, including:

• Establishing the role of FXIII and its V34L variant in regulating inflammation-driven thromboembolism.

• Understanding the mechanisms regulating inflammation-driven platelet hyperactivation.

• Investigating the role of neutrophils extracellular traps (NETs) in altering inflammation-driven thromboembolisation potential.

• Establishing novel in-vivo models to study thromboinflammation.

Molecular mechanisms of clotting

Thrombosis involves the formation of an abnormal blood clot. Modulating clot formation, or mechanical properties, may pave the way for novel antithrombotic therapies.

A secondary focus of research in my laboratory is identifying the molecular mechanisms driving clot formation, stability and biomechanical properties, including:

• Understanding the regulation of catch-slip bonds during fibrin modulation .

• Investigating how altered catch-slip bonds affect clot biomechanical properties.

• Using computational modelling to simulate fibrin polymerisation (collaboration with Prof Barsegov, University of Massachusetts – Lowell (USA).

CURRENT & PAST FUNDING

Qualifications

• PhD in Gastric Cellular and Molecular Physiology (University of Liverpool)
• MRes in Cellular and Molecular Physiology (University of Liverpool)
• Diplôme d’Études Approfondies (MRes) in Cellular Biology and Physiology (University of Nice, France)
• Maîtrise (MSc) in Cellular Biology and Physiology, (University of Rennes, France)
• Licence (BSc) in Cellular Biology and Physiology (University of Rennes, France)

Professional memberships

• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Scientific SubCommittee co-Chair, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
• Treasurer, British Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis
• Member, International Fibrinogen Research Society

Student education

PhD supervisor

• Sam Owen (2024-28): The inflammatory platelet – a new vehicle for disease? 

• Open position (2024-27): Role of N- and C-terminal fibrinogen β-chain residues in fibrin catch-slip bond behaviour: relevance for clot mechanical properties and thromboembolism.

• Ghadir Alkarithi (2019-23): Role of fibrin biofilm in haemostasis and thrombosis. Thesis successfully defended Sepember 2023. Next position: Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jedah, Saudi Arabia (Prof Qari).

• Adomas Baranauskas (2016-19): Understanding the role of coagulation Factor XIII in the development of venous and arterial thrombosis. Thesis successfully defended January 2020. Next position: Business Data Analyst at Barrett Steel.

• Aliaa Sabban (2015-19): Characterisation of the erythrocyte binding site on fibrinogen; Implications for clot structure and thrombosis. Thesis successfully defended May 2019. Next position: Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jedah, Saudi Arabia (Prof Qari).

• Nathan Asquith (2015-18): Role of extended knob-hole interaction sites in fibrin polymerisation and clot stability. Thesis successfully defended December 2018. Next Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA (Dr Italiano).

Medicine Intercalated BSc supervisor

• Milad Mossanen-Parsi (Medicine Intercalated BSc, 2020/21): Thrombus properties in myocardial infarction patients.

• Matthew Gold (Medicine Intercalated BSc, 2016/17): Role of fibrinogen α-chain in fibrin clot formation, structure and stability.

• Eloisa MacLachlan (Medicine Intercalated BSc, 2015/16): The development of novel murine tools to study the role of FXIII V34L in thrombosis.

• Thomas Riley (Medicine Intercalated BSc, 2014/15): Effects of fibrinogen g’ peptides on clot structure and stability.

• Christina Hitchen (Medicine Intercalated BSc, 2013/14): Effects of fibrinogen g' on structure and stability of blood clots.

• Waleed Chaudhry (Medicine Intercalated BSc, 2012/13): Kinetics of Factor XIII activation and fibrin clot structure.

Lecturer and Tutor in other Medical Programmes

• MSc Cardiovascular Health, Diseases and Diabetes: Basics and Beyond.

• Introduction to Medical Sciences.

• The Biological Basis of Healthcare Science.

• ENQUIRE – Special Studies Project.

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine
• Discovery and Translational Science
• British Heart Foundation - Cardiovascular research
• Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre

Projects

<li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/2043-licamm-role-of-n--and-c-terminal-fibrinogen-beta-chain-residues-in-fibrin-catch-slip-bond-behaviour">LICAMM Role of N- and C-terminal fibrinogen Beta-chain residues in fibrin catch-slip bond behaviour</a></li>