The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels. The heart pumps blood into the vessels, allowing circulation to occur. The blood goes through a system of large and small vessels until it returns back to the heart.
Our research focuses on the blood vessels. Blood vessels have a few layers to them. The top layer comes in contact with the blood, it’s called the endothelium. The endothelium is a single layer of cells on top of the smooth muscle. The endothelium and smooth muscle interact with each other to cause temporary changes in the size of the blood vessels causing an increase or decrease in diameter. The changes in size alter how much blood can flow through the vessel at any given time. The diameter changes are caused by a variety of factors and some are better understood than others.
In our laboratory, we use multiple techniques to measure changes in the size of blood vessels under different conditions to help increase our understanding of the cardiovascular system. We are able to see how both small (microdialysis) and large (brachial artery ultrasound) blood vessels change in response to a mechanical or chemical stimulus. We can also see how your blood vessels respond to your own heartbeat (pulse wave velocity), which is similar to feeling your pulse. We also use molecular biology techniques to look at hormones and cells in the blood (J-wire and blood collection).