Cardiovascular and Renal Biology

The RVC is the leading veterinary institute undertaking feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) research and is renowned for its clinical cardiology research. 

Vascular cell biology is a particular focus, with RVC academics working on human and animal endothelial cells, leukocytes and platelets, and mechanisms of vascular cell-cell communication.

The research is relevant to the following diseases:

  • Endothelial dysfunction
  • Insulin resistance
  • Inflammation
  • Dysregulated angiogenesis including atherosclerosis
  • Heart disease
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Cancer

Clinical research in this area includes:

  • Investigating endothelial function/dysfunction in dogs
  • Mitral valve disease in dogs
    • EPIC (Evaluation of Pimobendan In Cardiomegaly) Study
  • The prevalence of heart disease in cat
  • Identifying biomarkers for heart disease in dogs and cats
  • Feline cardiomyopathy
  • Feline hypertension
  • Chronic kidney disease.

Led by Professor Caroline Wheeler-Jones

BSc Hons; PhD; FHEA
Professor of Vascular Cell Biology

Caroline is a Professor of Vascular Cell Biology and is Head of Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Her major research interests are focused on the molecular control of endothelial cell function in health and disease.

People in this Research Group

Professor Dan Chan

Professor of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine and Clinical Nutrition
+44 (0)1707 666222

Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Hawkshead

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