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Vascular
Research |
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Associated Research Groups
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The Vascular
Research group consists of diabetes and renal physicians and scientists with
a common goal. Vascular dysfunction is prevalent in both diabetes and renal
patients with the major cause of mortality in either being cardiovascular
events. We have a mixed portfolio of biomedical studies ranging from cell
culture projects utilising vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells
through to large epidemiological
cohort genome and proteome analysis. We have a particular interest in the
insulin-like growth factor axis and its role in vascular disease. Clinical Studies We have two large cohort collections
currently underway in which we are able to pair biological sample collection
(plasma, serum and DNA) and analysis with unparalleled electronic phenotypic
data. The diabetes collection currently consists of 1500 patients with type 1
and -2 diabetes in which we are investigating genetic and protein markers of
susceptibility to diabetes and its complications. CRISIS (Chronic Renal
Insufficiency Standard Implementation Study) is a large prospective renal
cohort looking at baseline DNA with annual serum and plasma to determine
genetic and blood biomarkers associated with the rate and severity of renal
decline. Biomedical
Laboratory Studies Within our group we are lucky enough to have
post-doctoral scientists that bring a broad range of technical expertise. To
aid in the analysis of the IGF axis and its components we have developed
numerous techniques. Those include the development of several ELISAs for key
biomolecules as well as protein purification and separation protocols for the
isolation of IGFBP-1 and its phosphoforms. In cell based studies we are currently
investigating the pleiotropic effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
(statins). We have already shown their significant effects on IGF and insulin
signalling and are currently investigating their role in vascular
calcification. We are currently performing large scale
genotyping of our clinical collections for single nucleotide polymorphisms in
genes known to be associated with diabetes and renal disease. Selected References |
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Laboratory Staff & Students
Kath
Edge |
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