Current research interests
The group's work is grouped by theme. Each theme is investigated through in-vivo human physiology, molecular imaging and clinical trials.
Theme 01
Vascular function, NO bioavailability and the microcirculation
Forearm plethysmography, flow-mediated dilatation, arterial stiffness and 24-hour central ambulatory blood pressure characterise the role of vasoactive peptides and hormones in the regulation of vascular tone. Bespoke conjunctival vessel imaging provides a non-invasive readout of the microcirculation, complementing macrovascular measures. The strength of these clinical physiological studies lies in their direct relevance to human biology — anchoring novel drug development in human pathophysiology. Current work probes endothelin-A blockade combined with SGLT2 inhibition, apelin and relaxin agonism, and dual incretin agonism.
Theme 02
Cardiovascular imaging
Molecular and functional cardiovascular imaging — FDG PET-CT, immuno-PET, cardiac MRI, hyperpolarised MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI — is applied to atherosclerosis biology, off-target pharmacology in inflammatory disease, and drug-induced changes in the vessel wall and myocardium. These techniques provide non-invasive, mechanistic biomarkers for early-phase and multi-centre trials.
Theme 03
Inflammation and immunometabolism
A flagship programme addresses the residual inflammatory risk that persists despite optimal LDL-lowering, with low-dose interleukin-2 emerging as a first-in-class immunomodulatory strategy for acute coronary syndromes. Single-cell readouts, molecular imaging and deep immune phenotyping interrogate T-cell biology, regulatory-B-cell responses and p38 MAPK signalling. Related work examines colchicine, anti-TNF-α therapy and other cardiometabolic anti-inflammatories.
Theme 04
Hypertension, lipids and cardiometabolic medicine
Work spans ancestry-informed selection of first-line antihypertensive drugs, novel antihypertensive mechanisms including aldosterone-synthase inhibition, PCSK9-mediated intensive LDL-lowering, and mechanisms of oncology-drug-induced hypertension. Related interests include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, isometric exercise training in HFpEF and community cardiovascular risk reduction in under-served populations.
Theme 05
First-in-human and early-phase clinical trials
Working across the University and NHS domains since 2006, over twenty Phase 1/2 studies have been led, spanning novel biologics, small molecules and oligonucleotides. Studies embed proof-of-mechanism and proof-of-concept pharmacodynamic markers to discharge risk, and often repurpose licensed drugs for novel indications where they are otherwise contraindicated.
Theme 06
Multi-centre, pandemic-era and international trials
Beyond single-site experimental medicine, the group leads and contributes to large multi-centre and international trials — most notably the UK's Urgent Public Health-designated COVID-19 programmes during the pandemic, and international Phase 1 capacity-building across Southeast Asia through advisory work with the Malaysian Ministry of Health and the Hong Kong Joint Scientific Committee for Phase 1 Clinical Trials.