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What do we research?
Platelets Our research investigates how systems in the body control the activity of the blood platelets, and how these systems interact with drugs used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Platelets are small cells (actually not whole cells as they have no nucleus) that circulate around in the blood and can stick together rapidly to stop bleeding. The average human has over a trillion platelets in their body. Endothelial cells The insides of all blood vessels, arteries, vein, and capillaries are lined with endothelial cells. While these have been of great interest to biomedical researchers for the last 30 year or so, they aren't generally well known about. However, endothelial cells are abundant throughout our bodies. If all the endothelial cells in an average human were laid end to end they could stretch more than four times around the earth. This means that collectively our endothelial cells could be seen as one of our largest body organs. The interaction of platelets and endothelial cells If blood vessels get cut or broken the platelets detect the change, stick to the broken surfaces and drive the formation of a blood thrombus to block up the hole and stop blood loss. This is called haemostasis. Normally, the endothelial cells release local hormones, in particular nitric oxide and prostaglandin I2, that maintain the platelets in their inactivated state so stopping them from blocking up healthy blood vessels. Anti-platelet drugs and endothelial cells People who are at increased risk of heart attacks take drugs to reduce the activation of platelets. Most well known is aspirin, but those at most risk also take additional drugs known as P2Y12 blockers. Our research is into how these drugs interact with the platelets and endothelial hormones to regulate the formation of blood thrombi. |
Platelets stick together to make a thrombus Flowing platelets stick to collagen.....
.....but much less after being treated with aspirin
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Current Research Projects
Our research investigates how systems in the body control the activity of the blood platelets, and how these systems interact with drugs used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Platelets are found in the blood and are small circulating cells (actually not whole cells as they have no nucleus) which can stick together rapidly to stop bleeding. The average human has over a trillion platelets in their body.
- Nitric oxide, prostaglandin I2 and anti-platelet drugs
- Mixed platelet populations
- Platelet eicosanoids
- Novel platelet tests
Our research investigates how systems in the body control the activity of the blood platelets, and how these systems interact with drugs used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Platelets are found in the blood and are small circulating cells (actually not whole cells as they have no nucleus) which can stick together rapidly to stop bleeding. The average human has over a trillion platelets in their body.
- Nitric oxide, prostaglandin I2 and anti-platelet drugs
- Mixed platelet populations
- Platelet eicosanoids
- Novel platelet tests