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Akbar Group: Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiovascular, Inflammatory and Metabolic Disease

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

The Akbar Lab is interested in defining the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of extracellular vesicles for immunomodulation and precision medicine in cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases.

Three panel image: panel 1 shows an illustration of a cell with specific proteins on cell surface, a blow up of the lipid bilayers, and miRNAs, DNA and metabolites inside the cells; the second panel is a electron microscopy images of cells, and the third is a dot graph showing data for groups at presentation and followup, which shows two distinct groups at these two time points.

We have a particular interest in how endothelial cell derived extracellular vesicles mediate long range communication across organs, and how we can capitalise on this signalling for targeted therapeutics and diagnosis. We employ state of the art techniques in extracellular vesicle isolation and characterisation, using translational approaches of highly characterised clinical cohorts to derive hypothesis driven in vitro and in vivo studies using model systems.

 

   

 

 

 

Our team

Recent publications

DPhil Students

Current

Dann Paget

Lewis Timms

Amaury Genovese

 

Complete

2019 Laurienne Edgar

       

Masters Students

Current

Amber Wilkins


Undergraduate Final Honours School Students

Current

Divya Ganesh

Complete

2022 Raphaella Ridley

2019 Charlotte Lee 

2018 Jonathan Martin

2018 Eleanor Hogg

2017 Tanvir Rafe 

Related research themes

We aim to better understand, diagnose and treat heart and vascular disease through our extensive cutting edge research programmes. We have a particular focus on understanding disease mechanisms and on new approaches to stratifying patients. Our expertise encompasses genetic studies to identify causative and risk genes, cardiovascular physiology and cellular biology to understand health and disease, the development and application of advanced imaging, experimental medicine and clinical trials.
Cardiovascular Science
Our focus is on finding the causes of metabolic and endocrine disease and capitalising on these discoveries to yield new treatments. We are world leaders in both large-scale genetic studies and global clinical trials, taking an international approach to advance our understanding and treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. From target discovery for type 2 diabetes and probing the biochemistry of fat, through to understanding islet physiology and transplantation, investigating liver disease and unravelling the mechanisms behind rare endocrine tumours, our research truly spans the bed to bedside journey.
Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology
We use state of the art techniques to interrogate the intricacies of our body’s response to pathogens, cancer and non-communicable diseases. We have particular strengths in T cell signaling, the innate immune system and therapeutic antibody development – particularly in oncology and against pathogens. We have forged strong links with clinical medicine to accelerate translation of laboratory studies into therapeutic strategies.
Immunology and Infection
Using a range of imaging modalities, our researchers can probe – at the molecular level – the events that underpin cellular health and dysfunction.
Cellular and Preclinical Imaging
We are committed to translating our innovative research into clinical benefit. From new methods of diagnosing chronic conditions, to finding the latest treatments for diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and rare diseases, our department is involved in hundreds of clinical studies every year.
Clinical Studies and Trials
We seek to bridge the ‘innovation gap’ between ‘basic’ research in the laboratory and tangible benefits for patients. Our researchers aim to develop novel approaches to treating disease and we have particular strengths in evaluating technologies such as antibody therapy and gene therapy, and using new techniques for target discovery. Many of our researchers collaborate with biotech and industry partners to accelerate progress along the drug discovery pipeline and assess these new treatments in the clinic.
Emerging Therapies and Drug Discovery
A raft of cellular and molecular biology techniques underpin much of the work we do to elucidate the mechanisms of disease. We use established techniques to answer new questions and also develop our own novel and unique methodologies to drive further innovation.
Cellular and Molecular Biology