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Research within the William Harvey Research Institute is centred around principal investigators who lead groups researching within the areas of inflammation, cardiovascular pharmacology, and endocrinology
Inflammation Research
Research is conducted in Biochemical Pharmacology and in the Arthritis and Rheumatism Campaign Bone and Joint Research Unit to investigate the basic mechanisms controlling various components in inflammation and the potential to modify these using, for example, gene-therapy, anti-inflammatory peptides, and agonists and antagonists that target novel inflammatory pathways. These highly integrated programmes of research use a range of techniques from molecular biology and genetic engineering of cells and molecules, to in vivo models of inflammation, where we have a great strength. We have just made a strategic investment of £1.45M to create a new Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology with a strong research programme in joint and tissue repair and stem cell therapy, and an investment of £1.13M in the Centre for Microvascular Research with international pre-eminence in leucocyte transmigration. The strong translational element of this grouping funded by Wellcome, ARC and MRC are tightly linked into the Barts and The London NHS Trust clinical rheumatology service.
Principal Investigators:
- Yuti Chernajovsky
- Woon Ling Chan
- Rod Flower
- Rizgar Mageed
- Mauro Perretti
- Sussan Nourshargh
- Costantino Pitzalis
Cardiovascular Research
The aims are to understand the basic underlying pathogenic mechanisms associated with the initiation and development of vascular diseases, eg, atherosclerosis, hypertension and diabetes. Research is conducted in two Centres. Clinical Pharmacology has a major focus on the genetics of hypertension and mechanisms of vascular homeostasis in inflammation and the role of the endothelium. In addition we have a strong clinical research programme and expertise in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling. Translational Medicine and Therapeutics researches the pathophysiology of ischaemia-reperfusion injury with the aim of developing new therapeutic approaches to shock. We have a strong focus on generation and action of endothelial cell-derived mediators (eg: nitric oxide, endothelin, eicosanoids), and in the regulation and function of nuclear receptors in vascular cells and the response of the endothelium to procyanidins. Recent investment of £1.2M in this Centre has created a new Chair of Translational cardiovascular Therapeutics with a major focus on cardiac stem cell biology.
A key strength in this area is the integration of clinical activities with basic science and the use in vivo and in vitro disease models. These researchers have strong clinical partnerships with clinicians in Barts and The London Cardiac, Anaesthetic , Intensive Care and Renal Medicine Services. Through these links and our partnerships with local general practice we have successfully engaged large numbers of patients in our translational and clinical trials programmes.
Principal Investigators:
- Mark Caulfield
- Roger Corder
- Amrita Ahluwalia
- Martin Raftery
- Ken Suzuki
- Chris Thiemermann
- Adam Timmis
- Tim Warner
- Magdi Yaqoob
Endocrinology
Research activity in the Centre for Endocrinology spans the range between clinically applied research in endocrinology including the beneficial and adverse effects of growth hormone, its mechanisms of action and states of resistance, the genetic basis of defects in fetal and childhood growth and the long term consequences of fetal growth failure. At a more basic level there is an interest in the mechanisms of action of G protein-coupled receptors, especially those for melanocortins, and in particular the cell biology of GPCR trafficking. The development of endocrine glands, especially the adrenal cortex and the mechanisms of endocrine tumour formation are a further major area of interest within this Centre. Many of these programmes are led by or involve clinician scientists who also work within the Barts and The London NHS Trust Endocrinology Clinical Centre.
Principal Investigators:
