The aim of my research over the past 15 years has been to discover new ways of protecting the heart from the damage caused by myocardial infarction (heart attack). We were the first to demonstrate the role of mitochondrial morphology in cardioprotection, and to show that inhibitors of the necroptosis pathway of cell death are cardioprotective. I have used my skills in confocal and multiphoton microscopy to show that many cardioprotective agents act by protecting the mitochondria - specifically by delaying opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). 

My main topics of interest currently are exosomes and PI3Kinase. Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles which can communicate between cells, carrying proteins and miRNA. We were one of the first to suggest that exosomes could be cardioprotective. We are now studying the mechanism of this protection in order to harness the power of exosomes to the benefit of patients. The PI3Kinases are a family of proteins that are the most important cardioprotective signalling pathways in the heart. We are investigating how the different isoforms of PI3kinases protect the heart, and finding ways to specifically activate the protective kinases in the heart.

One of my favourite techniques is to use powerful imaging techniques such as confocal and multiphoton microscopy to visualize real-time, physiological changes in cardiac cells and hearts. Using fluorescent dyes it is possible to detect changes in such important parameters as oxidative stress, calcium, and mitochondrial morphology and activity, and to quantify the effects that protective treatments have on these parameters.