My current research aims to develop a method of arterialising human saphenous veins (hSV) for use in coronary artery bypass surgery. An ongoing issue, with detrimental health and economic costs, is the development of thrombosis and lack of graft patency in 50% of autologous or synthetic venous grafts within 10 years of implant. Arterial conduits have been shown to remain patent in >95% of cases at 15-20 years post-bypass, and have improved long-term mortality rates. However, only ~20% of bypass grafts are performed using autologous arteries due to difficulties obtaining tissue and the likelihood of ageing-related arterial disease e.g. atherosclerosis. Using our bioreactor in vitro system, which allows us to perfuse the conduits at venous to arterial pulsatile pressures, we hope to develop cell seeding strategies and modify haemodynamic properties to turn decellularised hSVs into arteries for implant, which remain patent.

Following an 18-month change in research direction, developing methods to optimise islet cell transplantation in patients with Type I diabetes, this project returns to my scientific roots in cardiovascular research. My PhD at Imperial College London, and subsequent postdoctoral research in Bristol Heart Institute, focussed on changes in blood flow patterns, wall shear stress (haemodynamics), vessel wall mechanics and their effects on atherosclerosis development and atherosclerotic plaque rupture.  

In Bristol, we are in the unique position of having the recently opened Translational Biomedical Research Centre (TBRC) for large animal work, and also have access to patient samples through the Bristol Royal infirmary and Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Projects:

• Arterial bioengineering of decellularised human saphenous veins to reduce early graft thrombosis and improve long-term patency rate

University of Bristol: June 2017-May 2020

• Right Ventricle Function in Children - RVENCH Study. A comparative study of the dysfunctional right ventricle in different congenital heart diseases

University of Bristol: September 2016-May 2017

• Manganese based contrast agents as markers of beta cell activity in a preclinical model of type 1 diabetes mellitus

University of Edinburgh: April 2016-June 2016

• Mesenchymal stromal cells for co-transplantation with human pancreatic islets to improve graft function

University of Edinburgh: November 2014-April 2016

• Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, foam cell phenotypes and extracellular proteinases

University of Bristol: April 2014-September 2014

• Pharmacological modulation of atherosclerotic plaque strength and plaque rupture

Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship/University of Bristol: March 2011-April 2014

• Vessel wall dynamics and plaque rupture

University of Bristol: February 2008-March 2011

• Effect of age and species on blood flow patterns at arterial branches in relation to atherosclerosis

PhD, Imperial College London: 2003-2007