NRP1 regulation of RHO GTPases and gene transcription in angiogenesis
Heart and circulatory disease is one of the biggest killers in the UK. A common cause of death is from a heart attack or stroke, which occurs when a blood clot in an artery stops vital oxygen-carrying blood from flowing to the heart or brain, respectively. Encouraging the growth of new blood vessels (a process called angiogenesis) in an injured area after a heart attack or stroke is a promising potential treatment area. However, current methods to stimulate new vessel growth are not effective due to difficulties in understanding how new vessels connect effectively to existing tissue to supply it with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly. Professor Christiana Ruhrberg has been awarded a grant to enable important research on angiogenesis in her lab. The research will involve looking at an important molecule called NRP1, which (based on earlier studies by Prof Ruhrberg) is thought to be essential for guiding new blood vessels to connect to the right areas of existing tissues. These important findings could one day lead to effective new treatments that can be used in patients to help them make a full recovery after a heart attack or stroke.
Project details
| Grant amount | £123,418 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Fellowships |
| Application type | PhD Studentship |
| Start Date | 01 November 2013 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | FS/13/60/30457 |
| Status | Complete |
