Iron deficiency anaemia in early pregnancy increases risk of heart defects, suggests new research
8 June 2021
In animal models, iron deficient mothers have a greatly increased risk of having offspring with congenital heart disease (CHD). The risk of CHD can be greatly reduced if the mother is given iron supplements very early in pregnancy. Additionally, embryos from a mouse model of Down Syndrome were particularly vulnerable to the effects of maternal iron deficiency, leading to a higher risk of developing severe heart defects.
Filipa Simões – A Seat at the Table
3 June 2021
Intermediate Transition Research Fellow Dr Filipa Simões from The Riley Group has been interviewed by the British Heart Foundation for the BHF Alumni website, where she discusses her research career, being a woman in science and supporting underrepresented students.
Nicola Smart to deliver John French Lecture
2 June 2021
The British Atherosclerosis Society's John French Memorial Lecture is named in honour of the Oxford-based pathologist, Dr John French, who made seminal observations and contributions to the field of cardiovascular pathology.
Having a healthier heart associated with better problem-solving and reaction time
17 May 2021
People with healthier heart structure and function appear to have better cognitive abilities, including increased capacity to solve logic problems and faster reaction times, according to a study involving University of Oxford and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) researchers.
Study provides new insights into causal mechanisms for atrial fibrillation
13 May 2021
A large-scale genetic study, led by Oxford BHF researchers Dr Parag Gajendragadkar, clinical DPhil student, Professor Barbara Casadei and Professor Jemma Hopewell, has shed new light on common heart rhythm disturbances
New target identified to develop treatment for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
30 March 2021
A new study from the Smart group has shed light on a key regulatory step in the initiation and progression of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by revealing the protective role of a previously little known small protein.
Travels with Vignesh
9 February 2021
Vignesh Murugesan, a Postdoctoral Researcher in Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics (DPAG), describes how he found his way from the large metropolitan town of Chennai in India to studying regenerative medicine here in Oxford, via an 8 year stint in Sweden.
Genetic breakthrough to target care for deadly heart condition
26 January 2021
Professor Watkins and his team have found a new type of genetic change in the DNA of people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - a silent killer amongst families that can cause sudden death in young people due to the thickening of the heart muscle.
Earliest origins of the forming heart identified
8 January 2021
The earliest known progenitor of the outermost layer of the heart has been characterised for the first time and linked to the development of other critical cell types in the developing heart in a new paper from the Srinivas group led by BHF Immediate Fellow Dr Richard Tyser.
Professor Sir Rory Collins awarded the MRC Millennium Medal 2020
17 December 2020
Professor Sir Rory Collins, Head of the Nuffield Department of Population Health, and Principal Investigator and Chief Executive of UK Biobank, has been awarded the Medical Research Council (MRC) Millennium Medal 2020, the MRC’s most prestigious personal award.
New MRI technique could detect early signs of heart failure in cancer patients following chemotherapy
19 November 2020
New research led by Oxford BHF CRE Intermediate Transition Fellow Dr Kerstin Timm shows that a recently developed imaging technique pioneered by the Tyler Group can detect early metabolic changes in the heart caused by a commonly used chemotherapy drug, which is known to increase risk of heart failure in cancer survivors.
Two major BHF awards to Neil Herring pave the way to new treatments for heart attack patients
12 November 2020
Associate Professor Neil Herring has been awarded a Senior Clinical Research Fellowship and a Project grant from the British Heart Foundation to further critical research into the mechanisms behind heart attacks and heart failure and potential drugs to combat them. Given the 50% reduction in research investment this year from the BHF due to the impact of COVID-19, Prof Herring is to be congratulated on these awards.
Bone hormone could provide new treatment for heart rhythm disorder
6 November 2020
A hormone which helps regulate bone mass is also produced by the heart and could help treat people with a dangerous heart rhythm disorder, according to a new study published in the journal Nature.
Pawel Swietach becomes Professor Pawel Swietach
30 October 2020
Congratulations are in order to Pawel Swietach on his conferral of the title of full Professor. Research in the Swietach Lab is driven by an interest in how biological processes are affected by chemical acidity.
MRC Senior Non-Clinical Fellowship awarded to Samira Lakhal-Littleton
27 October 2020
Congratulations are in order for Associate Professor Samira Lakhal-Littleton, who has been awarded a Senior Non-Clinical Fellowship by the Medical Research Council to further her lab's work exploring the implications of the cardiac hepcidin/ferroportin axis for the management of iron deficiency in heart failure.