The Translational Research and Bioengineering Group, is a world leader in the study of Angiogenesis, a process by which the human body forms new blood vessels in response to blocked arteries. There is increasing evidence suggesting that blood vessels have the ability to repair themselves in response to cardiovascular disease. The process of angiogenesis occurs when the body partially compensates for a severely blocked artery by forming new blood vessels.

Cells circulating in the blood stream also assist in the process of angiogenesis and blood vessel repair. These are known as ‘endothelial progenitor cells’ and are thought to come from the bone marrow. These endothelial progenitor cells therefore, play an important role in repairing damage in the cardiovascular system.

The Translational Research and Bioengineering Group aims to develop and apply therapeutic angiogenesis either through the facilitation of vessel growth or through the delivery of progenitor cells. These new methods hold tremendous potential as new treatments for cardiovascular disease.

The development of new synthetic materials for effective treatment of cardiovascular disease is also a priority for the Translational Research and Bioengineering group. At present, there are few effective biomaterials available for clinical vascular applications, such as vascular conduits for bypass grafting and endografts for minimally invasive bypass procedures. The established treatment for cardiovascular disease is the insertion of bypass grafts around an occluded arterial segment. But these treatments frequently have to be repeated since saphenous vein grafts are prone to accelerated atherosclerosis. On average, 70% of vein grafts are occluded or critically stenosed 10 years after coronary bypass grafting. In order the meet this critical need for revolutionising current cardiovascular treatments, the Translational Research and Bioengineering group seeks to engineer new synthetic bypass grafts that closely mimic the properties of human arteries.

Current Projects

The role of androgens in angiogenesis

Physiologic Assessment of the microcirculation

Tissue engineering new biomaterials for treating cardiovascular disease