Nexxus Scotland

Cardiovascular research

Scotland is home to world class expertise in cardiovascular research, from basic research right through to the latest clinical trials. Researchers in the region benefit not only from continuous investment into the world class infrastructure, but also from being part of an extensive community based in a geographically small area that facilitates collaborative projects.

Most of the expertise is centred around the University of Glasgow, which is home to several world renowned specialised cardiovascular research centres and groups, and the University of Strathclyde's Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Medical Devices. However other institutions have an important role to play in providing an integrated and comprehensive research capability, including the vascular research group at Glasgow Caledonian University and environmental research at the University of the West of Scotland.

This web page is designed to offer an overview of some of the cardiovascular expertise based in the Scotland, but for more comprehensive information, please visit the institutions' own web sites (listed here) or contact Nexxus who will put you in touch with the relevant contacts. 

British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre

The BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre was funded jointly by the British Heart Foundation and the University of Glasgow. The aim of the Centre, which opened in 2006, is to consolidate under one roof internationally recognised cardiovascular research groups and to provide a multidisciplinary research environment. At present there are eight group leaders, each with large programme grant funding, with a approximately 150 research and technical staff in total.

The Centre provides state-of-the-art clinical research facilities and a range of dedicated laboratories, from physiology and electrophysiology laboratories to well equipped molecular laboratories with facilities for human and experimental genetics. Capabilities also include genomics and proteomics including high throughput SNP genotyping, gene expression profiling, vascular gene transfer/therapy and many other modern molecular technologies.

The Centre is comprised of the following research groups:

BHF Cardiovascular Research Group aims to carry out research on genetics and vascular biology applied to cardiovascular disease.

MRC Cardiovascular Research Group carries out research on the regulation of adrenal steroid biosynthesis and the role of corticosteroids, particularly aldosterone, in cardiovascular disease.

BHF Cardiac and Imaging Group: the broad aim of the group is to investigate the mechanisms that underlie common forms of heart disease, with a view to uncovering new therapeutic or  preventative strategies.  

Heart Failure and Pharmacology Group: an extensive programme of research into heart failure includes studies of pathophysiological mechanisms and drug action, population based outcome studies and clinical trials.  

CVS & Renal Failure Group: the research interests of the group are in the determinants (genetic and pathophysiological) of progression and outcomes of primary renal disease and transplantation. The renal transplant unit in Glasgow plays a major role in international multicentre clinical trials of novel immunosuppressive agents and strategies and of CV interventions.     

Metabolic Medicine Group is interested in the causes and consequences of vascular disease and diabetes.  The work includes novel risk factor pathways such as inflammation and vascular function, and examines the importance of obesity and maternal programming.   

Glasgow University Division of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences

The Division of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences was formed in 2002 by the merger of several existing Departments including the Department of Medicine at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Medicine at Glasgow Western Infirmary, the Department of Medical Cardiology and the Department of Pathological Biochemistry. 

Research in the Division involves both clinical and laboratory-based scientists.   The major focus for research in the Division is Cardiovascular Disease. Studies adopt a wide range of techniques, including genetic, molecular, cellular, physiological and clinical, with an emphasis on integrating approaches in a translational manner. There is a well established interest in the management of hypertension and treatment of cardiovascular diseases including clinical pharmacology of antihypertensive drugs and alternative approaches to the delivery and assessment of long term cardiovascular care. The majority of its research activity is based in the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre.

Other current research within the Division includes development of novel biological markers (haematological, biochemical and electrophysiological) in cardiovascular disease and ageing. There is also an extensive programme of research in stroke and cerebrovascular disease extending from acute stroke imaging and drug treatment (based in the Western Infirmary) to rehabilitation and assessment of care pathways (in Glasgow Royal Infirmary).

Glasgow University Vascular Biochemistry Group

The Vascular Biochemistry Group has an international reputation in the field of lipids and lipoprotein metabolism. The group played the lead role in two large clinical trials (WOSCOPS and PROSPER) which studied the role of statins in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.

Research can be divided into five main themes:

 1. study of lipoprotein metabolism using stable isotopes and kinetic modelling.

 2. structure-function relationships of lipoproteins and their subfractions.

 3. mechanism of action of drugs, diet and exercise on lipoprotein metabolism.

 4. identification of subjects at risk using novel risk factors.

 5. examination of psychological and biological effects of socioeconomic depravation in relation to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

The Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS) is a leading centre for research and training focussed on drug and vaccine design, discovery, development and use. The Institute contributes substantially to the generation of new knowledge and the discovery and development of medicines to improve treatment of major health conditions, including cardiovascular, psychiatric, inflammatory and infectious diseases.  

Scientists within the Cardiovascular Health, Disease and Therapeutics Group are focussed on understanding the processes that underlie the function and dysfunction of the cardiovascular system and the mechanisms of action of drugs used in the treatment of disease. Projects employ multidisciplinary approaches and they have wide expertise in in vivo (large and small animal) and in vitro models of cardiovascular diseases. The in vivo models focus on atherosclerosis, cardiac failure, myocardial ischaemia/ reperfusion, pulmonary hypertension, restenosis and stroke. A range of techniques complement these, e.g. isolated blood vessels, perfused heart preparations, immuno-histochemistry and intracellular studies of cardiac myocytes, platelet and leukocyte function. Transgenic/ knockout models are also employed.

Strathclyde Institute of Medical Devices

The Strathclyde Institute of Medical Devices (SIMD) was launched in October 2006 in response to the recognition that effective innovation in medicine and healthcare technology is required to address the world's healthcare problems in the 21st Century. The convergence of engineering, science and medicine is key and SIMD is ideally placed to pioneer the complex, team approaches that will be needed to deliver new research and products to the healthcare end users - clinical staff and patients.

The Strathclyde Institute of Medical Devices has been established to bring together some of the best minds in engineering, the life sciences, physical sciences and the NHS to research and innovate the technologies of tomorrow, from cardiovascular devices and wound care, to ophthalmics and imaging.

Glasgow Caledonian University Vascular Biology Group

The Vascular Biology group at Glasgow Caledonian University is a multi-disciplinary group of physiologists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, biochemists and microbiologists, bringing substantive research experience and expertise to investigate an array of issues relating to the fundamental (patho)physiology and cell biology of vascular tissues.

Key Research interests include: physiology and pharmacology of smooth muscle; regulation of regional blood flow and vascular resistance in the lung; cellular transport, cell-cell communication and movement of cells within the vasculature and developing atheroma; infections of vascular tissues, including infective endocarditis, the formation of Candida biofilms on medical implants, and compromised host immune response.

University of the West of Scotland Environment & Human Health Group

The University of the West of Scotland Environment & Human Health Group seeks to improve the knowledge and understanding of environment and health issues. In particular it is concerned with sources and pathways of human exposure to air, noise, and soil pollutants and their implications for human health, including cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

Companies

A diverse range of companies involved in cardiovascular research, diagnosis and treatment are based in Scotland. A few examples are listed below, more can be found in the companies listing of this web site.   http://www.nexxusscotland.com/life_science/companies

Biopta

Biopta is a GLP compliant discovery/preclinical contract research organisation (CRO) specialising in ex vivo human tissue services. 

Biopta has expertise in the study of both cardiac and vascular tissues.   It can provide information on the potential activity of compounds in patients. Tests can be designed to investigate the potential efficacy of medicines for cardiovascular disease or the company can provide a human cardiovascular risk profile in specific tissues or through CardioForesight, its cardiovascular safety profiling package.

Omega Critical Care

Omega Critical Care Ltd is a medical device manufacturer who markets equipment related to the monitoring of key haemodynamic parameters in the critically ill patient within the cardiac theatre and ICU environment.

Vascutek

Vascutek uses innovative vascular technologies to develop products that address the needs of cardiovascular and vascular surgeons throughout the world.  The company markets a wide range of sealed and unsealed polyester and ePTFE vascular prosthetic grafts for the treatment of diseased and damaged arteries. The grafts are sealed with a specially modified gelatin, eliminating the need for pre-clotting.