Head of Division of Cardiovascular Sciences

For an overview of Heart and Circulatory Research at The University of Manchester, see

Heart and Circulatory Research @ Manchester

Research: My role as a Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences is multi-faceted; principally I carry out research into the molecular basis of left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure using a combination of transgenesis and gene knockout technologies, molecular biology and analysis of cardiac physiology. Much of this research is carried out in collaboration with a number of post-graduate students under my supervision and is funded by grants from British Heart Foundation and MRC. 

British Heart Foundation 4 year PhD programme: I am the Programme Director of the British Heart Foundation 4 year PhD programme at the University of Manchester. In the first year of the 4 year BHF PhD programme the students undertake an MRes in Cardiovascular Sciences. This introduces students to a combination of taught and mini project research options designed to develop theoretical knowledge and practical training in a broad range of research methodologies, disciplines and subject areas, before undertaking a full PhD project. 

https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/funded-programmes/bhf-phd/

Teaching: I enjoy teaching postgraduate, undergraduate and foundation students. I lead the pre-medical and pre-dental programmes; am a PBL and PEP tutor and lecturer for the year 1 MBChB students; and I am supervisor for 3rd year APEP projects and final year projects for bioscience students. As well as leading the MRes in Cardiovascular Sciences I act as a tutor and project supervisor to these and other PGT students.

I would be very happy to hear from potential students with an interest in pursuing an academic career studying the molecular basis of left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure.

Current roles at the University of Manchester

Head of Division of Cardiovascular Sciences

Programme Director of British Heart Foundation 4 year PhD programme

Programme Director of MRes in Cardiovascular Sciences

Academic Lead for School of Medical Sciences Foundation Programmes (pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy) 

Member of the Research Staff Strategy Group

1995 - PhD:  University of Manchester

Studied gene expression during heart development with Prof. Paul T. Sharpe

1994 - 2002: Research Fellow - University of Leeds

Studied the function of genes involved in the progression of gastro-intestinal cancer with Dr P. Louise Coletta and Prof. Sir Alex Markham

2002 - 2011: Lecturer - University of Manchester

Joined the Heart Failure Group to study the function of genes involved in the progression of heart failure with Prof. Ludwig Neyses

2011 to 2017: Senior Lecturer - University of Manchester

2017 to 2021: Reader - University of Manchester

2021 to date: Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences - University of Manchester

Molecular basis of left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is one of the commonest causes of severe morbidity and mortality worldwide; up to one million patients suffer from heart failure in the alone. Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), which is generally considered the precursor of the most severe forms of heart failure, is even more prevalent affecting up to 3-5% of the population. The focus of this laboratory is to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms of heart failure which will lead to improved understanding of its pathophysiology, and ultimately improved detection methods and treatment strategies.

Identification of novel genes relevant to left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure

One focus of this group is to identify novel genes, or genes as yet unassociated with LVD and HF. Identification and characterisation of new models of LVD and HF and identification of the underlying gene mutations will improve our understanding of the complex pathophysiological processes that lead to these conditions.

Role of the plasma membrane calcium pump in the heart

The plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA) is a ubiquitously expressed calcium pump. It is known to be the only system to pump calcium from the majority of cells, however, its role in the heart is unclear. We have shown for the first time that PMCA has both physiological and pathophysiological relevance in the heart. This has led us to pursue PMCA as a potential target for drug development, which may ultimately lead to improved treatment for heart failure.

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/environment/governance/ethics/animals/outcomes/heart-failure/

Post-graduate student supervision

I currently supervise and co-supervise the following PhD students:

• Sam Ching: Enhancing the maturity of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for cardiac repair using self-assembling peptide hydrogels
• Zhangping Luo: Investigating the role of the hypertension susceptibility gene PMCA1 in development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
• Alexandru Chelu. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying the role of PMCA1 in cardiovascular health and disease 
• Catriona Booth. Co-supervisor with Prof Andy Trafford
• Asim Khojah. Co-supervisor with Dr Ashraf Kitmitto
• Wenqi He. Co-supervisor with Prof Xin Wang
• Dandan Xing. Co-supervisor with Prof Kaye Williams
• Zainab Albalawi. Co-supervisor with Dr Ashraf Kitmitto

Since 2007 36 of the PhD students I have supervised have been awarded their PhDs. All of these students have continued to pursue biomedical related careers. Four MPhil students under my supervision have been awarded their degrees.

I would be very happy to hear from potential students with an interest in pursuing an academic career studying the molecular basis of left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure.

Transgenesis and gene knockout technology

Cardiac physiology

Molecular biology

PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons)