Group's objectives
Key objectives for the group are to continue developing high-quality research programmes. We aim:
- To develop an integrated bench to bedside translational approach for understanding the underlying mechanisms responsible for the functioning of the cardiovascular system in both health and disease
- To train, at the highest level, future generations of investigators not only in those techniques and concepts traditionally allied to cardiovascular research but also in complementary methodologies that traverse the disciplinary interfaces
- To promote and expand interdisciplinary bioscience
Research standards
The Cardiovascular Research Group (CRG) has an excellent record in obtaining external grant funding and currently (2009) holds core grants with a total value exceeding £25 million. Publications in the last seven years exceed 500 with >25% being in top leading journals.
Since the last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), we have worked towards developing an integrated bench to bedside translational approach for understanding the underlying mechanisms responsible for the functioning of the cardiovascular system in both health and disease. Our success and strategy has been recognised by the latest RAE 2008 results finding that 100% of the CRG researchers are recognised internationally with 75% of these rated as world-leading and internationally excellent. This result placed the Manchester CRG 4th in the UK.
The group also has a British Heart Foundation Chair in Cardiac Electrophysiology.
Facilities
Many of the cardiovascular groupings are based in the state-of-the-art purpose-built research laboratory and office suites in the Core Technology Facility (CTF) opposite the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility and the Manchester Royal Infirmary. We have well-established interdisciplinary links with the internationally renowned Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, UK Centre for Tissue Regeneration, School of Materials and the School of Physics and Astronomy. The group has strong clinical links. The alliance between the UoM and the NHS has been facilitated by the recent establishment of a specialist Biomedical Research Centre and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre to drive progress on innovation and translational research.
View: Our facilities (gallery)
Research environment
The Core Technology Facility (CTF) is connected via a series of bridges to several other buildings housing biomedical scientists providing an integrated and stimulating research environment. We also have groups based at Wythenshawe Hospital and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (formerly Hope Hospital). There are close interactions between researchers with regular away-days to promote collaboration and interfacing of basic science and clinical studies.
Teaching activities
Members of the Cardiovascular Group are also actively involved in the teaching activities of the University, delivering aspects of the Undergraduate Medical Degree programme, contributing to postgraduate taught courses (including an MRes in Cardiovascular Health and Disease) and specialist clinical training.
