Blood vessels form an extensive network that transports cells, oxygen and nutrients throughout all tissues and organs. Blood vessels are key components in our fight against disease and improved understanding of endothelial cells (ECs, specialised cells which form the inner lining of blood vessels), will provide new knowledge and novel treatment options for many fatal diseases, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
We have leading research in, vasculogenic mimicry (VM), a process wherein cancer cells themselves form vascular-like structures to increase access to the blood supply to assist in tumour growth. In the most aggressive and difficult to treat cancers of the breast, skin and pancreas, increased VM is associated with poor clinical outcome. We have begun to identify novel elements in VM and are now targeting these with an overall aim to provide better outcomes for cancer patients.
We also have patented technology on making medical devices ‘bioinvisible’. For example, vascular occlusions are a major contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) which is a leading cause of death worldwide. Overcoming these occlusions requires insertion of devices (such as stents) to maintain vessel diameter which are seen by the body as foreign. Our innovative concept modifies stents with a patented BIOINVISIBLE low-fouling surface with proven revascularisation of implanted devices requiring minimal intervention and medication. This work is led by Dr Eli Moore (Biocompatible Devices Group).