We conduct cutting-edge cardiovascular research.
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Our research focuses on the biomechanical mechanisms that control atherosclerosis, a disease of arteries that can lead to angina, heart attack and stroke. Disturbed blood flow generates frictional forces (shear stress) that trigger pathophysiological changes in endothelial cells that promote atherosclerosis initiation and the progression of plaques into dangerous unstable forms prone to rupture or erosion.
Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of the blood flow patterns in a normal carotid artery bifurcation. Movie kindly provided by Professor David Steinman (lab webiste: https://bsl.mie.utoronto.ca/)
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The laboratory combines genomics approaches with unbiased functional screening and biochemical studies to identify the signaling pathways and transcriptional programs that regulate endothelial cell responses to flow. The goal is to identify molecules within these pathways that can be targeted to prevent or treat atherosclerosis.
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The cross-disciplinary nature of our work has led to interactions with physicist and engineers as well as molecular and cellular biologists and clinical scientists.
Staining of RelA and VCAM-1 in the murine aorta
(Circ Res 2011;108:950-959).
TWIST1 expression is enriched at a low shear stress region of the aorta (Mahmoud et al. Circ Res. 2016 119: 450-462).
Model of integrin structural changes in response to mechanical force
(Xanthis et al J Cell Sci 2019;132;jcs229542).
Current Projects (current funding >£2M).
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British Heart Foundation Programme Grant. “Integrating mechanobiology with fluid dynamics to predict accelerated coronary artery disease” 2026-2031
British Heart Foundation Project Grant. "Does endothelial NOTCH4 drive atherosclerosis?" 2026-2029
MRC Project Grant: "Role of the transcription factor GATA4 in atherosclerosis progression" 2021-2024
Barts Charity Project Grant “Does endothelial EPAS1 protect arteries from atherosclerosis progression?” 2025-2029
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ-on-a-Chip Technology (COaCT). “Personalised vessel-on-a-chip technology to stratify patients for coronary artery disease prevention” 2025-2029
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