Dr Ann E Canfield

Senior Lecturer in Medicine

Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research

University of Manchester

Michael Smith Building

Oxford Road

MANCHESTER  M13 9PT

Tel:     +44 161 275 5066

Fax:   +44 161 275 5082

e-mail: ann.canfield@manchester.ac.uk
www:   http://www.ls.manchester.ac.uk/people/profile/index.asp?id=316

Research Interests

Research in my laboratory is focussed on (i) elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the formation of new blood vessels and the pathological calcification of arteries, and (ii) investigating the role of the vasculature in skeletal development.

The process of new blood vessel formation, angiogenesis, is of fundamental importance in many physiological and pathological processes. Indeed, the successful integration of a tissue-engineered graft into the host tissue is crucially dependant on the extent of angiogenesis that occurs. We are currently using a multidisciplinary approach to identify endothelial cell progenitors from peripheral blood, to determine the role of cell-matrix interactions in the regulation of angiogenesis and to identify genes that are up-regulated during the early stages of this process. This integrated programme of research will provide a more complete understanding of the molecular regulation of angiogenesis, and will allow us to devise methods to stimulate (or inhibit) angiogenesis in the graft-host tissue complex (see Generic Research).

Calcification of arteries leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Current evidence from this, and other, laboratories suggests that this is a regulated process with many similarities to bone formation. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we are currently investigating how the deposition of mineral in arteries is regulated at the cellular and molecular level. These studies will identify potential targets for the therapeutic manipulation of this event in newly engineered vessels (Research Theme 3).