The new BHF Oxford Centre of Research Excellence (BHF Oxford CRE) has launched today at the University of Oxford. Building on three previous Centre awards since 2008, the BHF Oxford CRE unites the University’s cross-disciplinary cardiovascular research community. From discovery science through to clinical and population health research, the BHF Oxford CRE will continue to advance cardiovascular sciences and benefit for patients.
Professor Keith Channon, Director of the BHF Oxford CRE said “We are delighted to receive this renewed support from the BHF to continue the excellent research that is being done by our strong and diverse network of researchers in Oxford. With teams spanning across multiple disciplines we can address new targeted and critical areas of research for the cardiovascular sciences - with the overall goal of translating discoveries from the laboratory through to clinical practice. Through our early- to mid-career development and training opportunities we are continuing to promote a diverse and inclusive research culture allowing our researchers to compete at the highest level and nurture them to become future cardiovascular research leaders.”
With the new round of funding, the BHF Oxford CRE has three key research themes in areas where it sees clear potential to deliver world leading advances:
Led by Professor Cornelia van Duijn and co-led by Professor Blanca Rodriguez, the Big Data & Computational Science theme builds on the Centre’s capabilities in data analysis for population cardiovascular health, including a new focus on vascular dementia. We are working in collaboration between cardiologists, engineers and computer scientists to extend upon big data techniques, artificial intelligence, modelling and simulation which will provide new insights into treatments for cardiovascular disease.
The Repair & Regeneration theme, led by Professor Paul Riley and co-led by Professor Nicola Smart, builds on the CRE’s world-leading research and facilities in regenerative medicine to identify new cellular mechanisms in tissue repair; targeting fibrosis, biomechanical sensing and signalling. A new focus will be on human model systems with multi-cellular capability, and therapeutic targets that reach widely across disease indications.
Together with Professor Dame Molly Stevens, the BHF Oxford CRE’s co-Director, Professor Angela Russell leads the Drug Discovery & Delivery theme which integrates new physical sciences technologies to enable cardiovascular drug discovery and delivery. The theme focuses on metabolism and immune mechanisms as fertile new areas with rapid translational potential.
Professor Russell says of the award “We are excited to be able to provide a unique level of flexibility to support cardiovascular research through pump priming awards, career development schemes and enabling technology funds. With our established partnerships with leading pharma, biotech companies and local business networks we are offering a new Fellowship opportunity to drive CRE entrepreneurship and innovation to fuel rapid translational potential.”
The BHF has committed £35m to supporting centres of research excellence awards to nine universities across the UK.