Patient-Derived Endothelial Cells to Reveal Ethnic Differences in Coronary Artery Disease

Code: BC-DTP_2026_48

Title: Patient-Derived Endothelial Cells to Reveal Ethnic Differences in Coronary Artery Disease

Primary Supervisor: Paul Evans

Email: paul.evans@qmul.ac.uk

Institute: William Harvey Research Institute

Secondary Supervisor: Christos Bourantas

Email: c.bourantas@qmul.ac.uk

Institute: William Harvey Research Institute

Lay Summary:

Heart and blood vessel disease is a major cause of illness and death in East London, but not all communities are affected equally. People from South Asian backgrounds, especially Bangladeshi communities, have higher rates of heart attacks, while Black African and Black Caribbean communities are more affected by high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure. These differences are influenced by lifestyle, environment, and biology, but we do not fully understand why some groups are more at risk. This project will study cells from the lining of blood vessels (called endothelial cells), which play a key role in keeping arteries healthy. Blood samples will be taken from patients having routine heart procedures, and used to grow endothelial cells in the laboratory. These cells “remember” important features of the person they came from, which will allow us to see how they behave differently in people from different ethnic backgrounds. By studying these cells, the research aims to understand why some communities are more prone to heart and blood vessel disease. This knowledge could help doctors find ways to better protect the health of people in these communities in the future. The project will also give the PhD student hands-on laboratory experience and training in research focused on different ethnic communities, helping them develop the skills to address health inequalities in East London. 

Aims:

Aim 1: Baseline Ethnic Differences in ECFC Phenotype

Aim 2: Ethnicity-Dependent Responses to Wall Shear Stress

Aim 3: Mechanistic Determinants of Ethnicity-Dependent Endothelial Mechanosensitivity

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