Our Integrated Physiology approach operates at a number of stages in development, in adult life and ageing. In humans and in animal models, the research is directed at understanding the coordinated function of cells, organs and whole organisms under normal physiological conditions and in disease states. The research takes a multi-disciplined approach including molecular biology, biochemistry, histology, cell biology, ex vivo organ work, whole animal and human physiology, engineering, imaging and mathematical modelling.
Principal investigators engaged in an Integrated Physiological approach to their research include:
Aymen Al-Shamkhani, Avan Aihie Sayer, Graham Burdge, Christopher Byrne, Felino Cagampang, Philip Calder, Ying Cheong, Jane Collins, Cyrus Cooper, Jane Cleal, Geraldine Clough, Nick Curzen, Donna Davies, Ratko Djukanovic, Judith Eckert, Tim Elliott, Keith Godfrey, Francis Grand, Lucy R. Green, Robert Grimble, Mark A. Hanson, Richard Holt, Francesca Houghton, Peter Howarth, Alan Jackson, Edd James, Peter Johnson, Rohan Lewis, Nicholas Macklon, Jens Madsen, Timothy Millar, John Morgan, Richard Oreffo, Kirsten Poore, Tony Postle, Dieter Reithmacher, Sian Robinson, Anthony Sampson, Michael Stroud Gareth Thomas, Christopher Torrens, Jane Warner, Tom Wilkinson, Stephen Wootton
Cross Faculty links with:
Tom Fleming
Our research focuses on understanding the patho-physiology of human implantation. Working with local and international collaborators we are interrogating peri-implantation events in order to understand nutritional, clinical and interventional determinants of periconceptional, perinatal and longterm health outcomes. Ying Cheong and Nicholas Macklon
Our work centres on ex vivo models of human airways disease ranging from functional studies on small airways and pulmonary vessels, use of human lung tissue explants, through to isolated lung inflammatory and stromal cells. We are interested in the effect of chronic inflammation on the cells and tissues in the lung and how this can be modulated. Anthony Sampson , Christopher Torrens and Jane Warner
We study the mechanisms of embryo development before implantation and how the mother's nutrition and body condition or IVF related technologies may affect growth and development through gestation and the health and physiology of adult offspring. Judith Eckert and Tom Fleming
The principle focus of our research is to investigate the role of epigenetic processes in physiological changes induced by a poor early life environment which contribute to future disease risk. Graham Burdge and Karen Lillycrop
We are interested in understanding how signals initiated by engagement of various cell surface receptors integrate during immune responses in order to regulate effector T cell differentiation and the generation of memory cells. Aymen Al-Shamkhani , Edd James and Tim Elliott
The Bone and Joint Research Group is interested in applying an integrated physiology approach to our work in skeletal development and function as well as understanding the development of chronic bone diseases and reparative strategies to address tissue engineering strategies for such conditions. We apply a variety of ex vivo and in vivo models to aid our understanding of skeletal physiology across the skeletal interface. Richard Oreffo
We are investigating vascular function in acute and chronic conditions to determine potential targets for therapy. Assessing endothelial recruitment of inflammatory cells, the role of coagulation in cancer metastasis, control of angiogenesis using nanoparticle linked peptides and flow modeling in complex vascular networks are all part of our ongoing research. Timothy Millar
We use whole body physiology, isolated organ physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology to investigate the adaptive responses made by offspring during fetal life and early childhood, and the impact that such adaptations have on cardiovascular and metabolic function in later life. Lucy Green , Mark Hanson and Kirsten Poore
Our research strategy is to translate mechanistic, functional and therapeutic investigations in isolated vascular tissues and cells to in vivo preclinical models of vascular dysfunction into early-in-man clinical application and to develop strategies for risk monitoring and intervention in common chronic non-communicable disorders. Geraldine Clough
My long term research interest is in the epidemiology of musculoskeletal ageing (osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and sarcopenia) as well as in the developmental origins of chronic disease. Cyrus Cooper
The Lipid Biology group is applying a combination of stable isotope/mass spectrometry approaches to characterise the role of altered phospholipid synthesis and metabolism in a range of inflammatory diseases in vivo, and has an additional major focus on the contribution of lipid oxidation to inflammatory diseases. Tony Postle
The Placental Research Group is investigating placental nutrient transport as a determinant of both fetal growth and lifelong health. We have made significant progress in uncovering the mechanisms underlying placental nutrient transfer and we are also focusing on their regulation by both maternal factors and at the cellular level. In order to understand placental function as an integrated system we are developing a computational model of placental function. These approaches will ultimately allow us to develop strategies to help babies who are growing poorly in the womb. Rohan Lewis and Jane Cleal
Biological clocks control endogenous 24-hour oscillations or circadian rhythms in biochemical, physiological and behavioural processes, thereby maintaining the health and well-being of an individual. We are interested in elucidating mechanisms of how early life exposure to environmental stressors lead to abnormal circadian rhythms, increasing disease susceptibility in later life, and how we can use this knowledge in disease prevention and chronotherapeutics. Felino Cagampang