Research Overview
Sam’s research, supported by the British Heart Foundation, BBSRC and several industrial partners, focuses on understanding how the nervous system controls vascular and adipose tissue with an emphasis on a family of neurotransmitter receptors called P2X receptors.
"Something we are particularly interested in are the nerves that communicate information from the brain to adipose tissue, and nerves that take information away from adipose back to the brain. We believe that a better understanding of these networks are likely to reveal new targets for therapy in diseases such as obesity and diabetes."
My story
“Part of my PhD involved going to operating theatres to collect samples of saphenous vein that were being used for cardiac bypass surgery. This experience nicely framed my interest in working with human samples that hopefully lead to more translational research. There is currently a lot of innovation in research in cardiovascular and metabolic research which I personally find fascinating and would strongly encourage early career scientists to pursue this rewarding field of research.”
Connecting Without Borders
The Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Network brings together basic and clinical researchers. The network provides an opportunity to talk things through, find reciprocal interests and interdigitate our research.
“Certainly for me, collaboration with clinical scientists has brought significant added value to my research programme.”