Regulation of the vascular system by neural and endothelial mechanisms

For many years my interest has been dedicated to cardiovascular research, in particular to the localisation of vasoactive substances in systemic and cerebral vascular beds, using immunocytochemical techniques for electron microscopy. More recently this has been closely linked with clinical issues such as coronary artery bypass surgery, or dementia and ageing, in interdisciplinary collaboration with international and national teams of clinical experts.

This website therefore presents some issues relevant to cardiovascular research, with particular focus on the ultrastructural localisation of vasoactive agents, their synthetic enzymes or receptors in vascular tissue in physiological and pathophysiological circumstances. Electron-immunocytochemistry has an advantage over light microscopy (including confocal microscopy) as it reveals the fine relationship between antigenic sites and intracellular organelles and structures. It can also complement in situ hybridisation since it allows the identification of the 'end product' of a gene/mRNA expression rather than the gene itself. [The expression of a gene does not necessarily mean that its product will arise within the synthesis system of the cell interior].

Modern sophisticated medical procedures and devices tend to maximise the preservation of the integrity of cells, tissues and organs. Electron microscopy is one of the important tools for identification of molecular and subcellular reactions of cells to mechanical trauma, and for the identification of long-term consequences caused by surgical procedures.

For specific details of current research projects, go to the Research page. Conferences, presentations and seminars are listed on the Conferences page. The Galleries display ultrastructural images: (1) vessel structure and cerebral endothelium, (2) the localisation of endothelial vasoactive agents and P2 receptor, (3) injured vessels, platelets and leukocytes, and (4) the perivascular nerves.