A functional mechanistic study of genetic variants at the coronary artery disease susceptibility locus on chromosome 10q11
Coronary heart disease is caused by a build-up of fatty material within the walls of the arteries which supply blood to the heart. Many lifestyle factors, such as smoking, can increase the risk of this happening. But coronary heart disease also seems to run in families – suggesting that our risk of developing this disease is also linked to our genetic make-up. Current DNA sequencing technology has enabled researchers to hunt for possible ‘genetic signatures’ of coronary heart disease. Several studies have shown that certain variations in a specific region of chromosome 10, called 10q11, seem to increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease. In this project, Professor Ye and his team at the University of Leicester hope to clarify exactly which genes are altered by these 10q11 variations. Then, using blood vessel cells from donated umbilical cords, they will study how these changes can impact how the vessels grow and function. By understanding how these genetic changes alter the biology of our blood vessels, researchers hope to shed more light on why some families are more at risk of coronary heart disease than others. This has the potential to reveal new ways to reduce this risk, and lay the foundations for developing better treatments for those already living with the disease.
Project details
| Grant amount | £218,411 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 22 August 2019 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/18/73/34059 |
| Status | In Progress |
