![Two researchers looking at the display of a digital human anatomy system showing a heart](https://www.mmu.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/page_header_half/public/2021-05/Cardiovascular-science-header.jpg?h=bb941b98&itok=IHdL0Ir8)
Research theme: Cardiovascular science
Understanding cardiovascular health and disease for improved patient benefit.
About our research
About our research
We are an interdisciplinary team with translational themes specialising in cardiovascular science.
Our focus is endothelial dysfunction and damage to the lining of the blood vessel and its consequences within the vessel wall - which can ultimately result in a heart attack or stroke.
We are pioneering studies in:
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vascular calcification, which is a chronic condition
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endothelial progenitor cell biology and vascular repair
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vasodilator function, which is key to adequate blood perfusion into tissues
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platelet biology
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plaque erosion, which is an acute and often terminal event
Each of these areas are unified by changes in the endothelial cells that line our blood vessels and their cross-talk with inflammatory and smooth muscle cells.
Our collaborations
Our research is informed by collaborations with clinical teams across Greater Manchester and beyond, with access to patients with:
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diabetes
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carotid and coronary artery disease
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chronic kidney disease
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Lupus
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rheumatoid arthritis
Within these patient groups, we’re working to identify the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease to provide novel therapeutic strategies and biomarkers for patient stratification.
Contact
Contact us
You can contact individual members of the team through their staff profiles.
For general enquiries about the cardiovascular science research theme, you can contact theme lead Dr Fiona Wilkinson.