Studying the role of cilia in blood vessel growth

Establishment of a 3D cell culture perfused system to investigate mechanisms of blood vessel lumen morphogenesis: the role of cilia and cytoskeletal regulators in flow sensing

After a heart attack or stroke, it’s essential that new blood vessels form to re-establish blood flow and keep surrounding tissue alive. A key step in making blood vessels that function properly is the development of the vessel lumen – the inside space of a blood vessel which carries the blood. Although much is known about molecules that control the initial stages of blood vessel growth, little is known about how this lumen develops and how this process is influenced by changes in blood flow. This PhD studentship will focus on developing a model for studying the formation of the lumen using cells grown in the lab. The model will allow the researchers to alter blood flow and observe the effect it has on vessel development. They are particularly interested in the role of an antenna-like structure called the cilium, which extends outside blood vessel cells to help them ‘sense’ the surrounding environment. The cilium are sensitive to the presence of fluid and are thought to feedback to the blood vessel cells which regulate the vessel lumen. They will use the model to understand the precise role of cilia, and how they are involved in vessel formation.