My research group is primarily involved in clinical research. The main focus of our work is around diagnostics including imaging and blood biomarker investigations.

We are investigating the possible role of members of the  calcitonin gene related peptide family in cardiac disease, and have demonstrated potential clinical utility in heart failure, and myocardial ischaemia. Our current focus is in the specific disease areas of chemotherapy induced cardiac dysfunction, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. This work includes cell culture models of disease and clinical investigations in patients. In addition to cell culture studies, our laboratory also performs solid phase extraction of peptides and both radioimmunoassay and immunofluorescent techniques. Alongside the laboratory work investigating mechanisms, our group is utilising advanced imaging techniques to assess the functional correlates in these disease groups. Current techniques include cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear cardiology imaging, and advanced ultrasound. The latter method is closely linked to Prof McVeigh’s research program with which there is close collaboration.  

Past and current collaborators include Prof Gary McVeigh, Dr David Bell, Dr Malcolm Campbell, Dr David Grieve, Dr Ann Tweddell (Hull), Dr Stephen McMechan, Dr Anita Smyth, Prof Richard Underwood (London).

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