Our established multi-disciplinary scientific excellence in Vascular Biology, Inflammation and Angiogenesis

Developing vessels and macrophages in green supporting vessel developmentOur established multi-disciplinary research theme is focused on the multifaceted biology of endothelial cells. This includes their roles in inflammation and the formation of new vessels, both of which play critical roles in the pathogenesis of a range of diseases as diverse as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.


Theme Lead

Professor Asif Iqbal

 Professor of Inflammation Biology
 Birmingham Fellow

 

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Dr Asif Iqbal

Theme Lead

Dr Ingrid Dumitriu

 Reader in Cardiovascular Immunology

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Dr Ingrid Dumitriu

 

 

Introduction to the Vascular Biology and Inflammation research theme in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences

 

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About the research

Our world leading research into acute physiological inflammation and chronic inflammatory diseases has changed the way we understand the inflammatory process. It has also led to the discovery of novel tumour endothelial targets and the development of novel anti-cancer agents.

A core theme of our research determines how circulating white blood cells are recruited to inflamed tissues. We continue to identify new paradigms of leukocyte trafficking, having recently established new anti-inflammatory roles for dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) which control the migration of neutrophils and T-cells. The role of tissue cells in regulating inflammation is also an extremely active area of research where our science is greatly aided by a new state of the art facility for imaging leukocyte trafficking into live tissues. 

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels is a key component of many pathologies including cancer, atherosclerosis and arthritis. We have for many years studied differential gene expression in vessels of pathologic tissue such as tumour vessels compared to those in healthy tissue.

A corner stone of our scientific effort is the translation of our innovative science into the clinic for the benefit of patients. The localisation of stem cells and their therapeutic affects in cardiovascular inflammation is being investigated in a new model of the beating heart. 

The Department of Cardiovascular Sciences is also the academic base for two University Spinout Companies. Chimeric Therapeutics Ltd, which is developing new therapies employing T cells against CLEC14A on the vessels in solid tumors, and Viatem Ltd, which is undertaking an R&D programme to develop new anti-inflammatory drugs from the PEPITEM peptide. 

Our Principal Investigators and Research Groups

Principal Investigators
Principal InvestigatorResearch Interest
Principal InvestigatorProfessor Roy Bicknell Research InterestAngiogenesis and tumour vascular targeted immunotherapy
Principal InvestigatorProfessor Dirk-Peter Herten Research InterestMolecular level signalling of inflammation and thrombo-inflammation
Principal InvestigatorProfessor Asif Iqbal Research InterestDisease mechanisms in acute and chronic inflammation
Principal InvestigatorProfessor Melanie Madhani Research InterestIdentifying Novel Targets and Interventions for Hypertension; Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure
Principal InvestigatorProfessor Ed Rainger Research InterestResolution of inflammation and thrombo-inflammation
Principal InvestigatorDr Alexander Brill Research InterestMechanisms of venous thrombosis and interplay between thrombosis and inflammation
Principal InvestigatorDr Ingrid Dumitriu Research InterestTargeting inflammation in cardiovascular disease - focus on atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation
Principal InvestigatorDr James Guggenheim Research InterestImaging the vasculature using photoacoustic and coherent optics techniques
Principal InvestigatorDr Victoria Heath Research InterestMolecular regulation of blood vessel formation’
Principal InvestigatorDr Peter Hewett Research InterestRegulation of endothelial genes (e.g. VEGF/VEGFRs) which play fundamental role in vascular homeostasis/remodelling and responses to shear stress.  How these are perturbed in pathologies including diabetes, atherosclerosis and preeclampsia
Principal InvestigatorDr Neena Kalia Research InterestRole of the coronary microcirculation in myocardial infarction
Principal InvestigatorDr Julie Rayes Research InterestUnderstanding mechanisms of thromboinflammation in sterile and infectious conditions. In particular, I am interested in danger-associated molecular patterns effect on platelet and how it regulates its interaction with immune and endothelial cells
Honorary Principal Investigators
Honorary Principal InvestigatorResearch Interest
Honorary Principal InvestigatorDr Gillian Lowe Research InterestInherited platelet disorders
Associate/Affiliate Principal Investigators
Associate/Affiliate Principal InvestigatorResearch Interest 
Associate/Affiliate Principal InvestigatorProfessor Georgios Gkoutos Research Interest Health Data Science, Bioinformatics, Artificial Intelligence for Health, Multmodal multiomics integrative analytics, Translational comparative phenomics, Precision Medicine
Associate/Affiliate Principal InvestigatorProfessor Claudio Mauro Research Interest Interconnections between metabolic and inflammatory pathways
Associate/Affiliate Principal InvestigatorDr Keith Brain Research Interest Autonomic cardiovascular regulation
Associate/Affiliate Principal InvestigatorDr Paul Harrison Research Interest Platelets;  Neutrophils; Extracellular Vesicles; Trauma and Burns
Associate/Affiliate Principal InvestigatorDr Patricia Lalor (Trish) Research Interest Human liver inflammation and fibrosis; endothelial and platelet biology and impact of these on inflammation
Associate/Affiliate Principal InvestigatorDr Sam Lucas Research Interest Regulation of cerebral blood flow; optimising interventions for improved vascular health
Associate/Affiliate Principal InvestigatorDr Helen McGettrick Research Interest Endothelial responses and control of immune cell movement across blood vessels
Associate/Affiliate Principal InvestigatorDr Mike Tomlinson Research Interest Tetraspanins and associated membrane proteins

Research Groups

Angiogenesis Group 
Cardiovascular Translational Group: Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure
Leukocyte Trafficking 
Microcirculation Research Group 
Vascular and Reproductive Biology 
Vascular Tetraspanin Group 
BCRG (Birmingham Cardio-Renal Group)