Effect of Red Blood Cell Dynamics on Endothelial Cell Behaviour in Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is the generation of blood vessels from existing ones. Throughout a person's life, angiogenesis occurs to ensure tissues in the body have a sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients transported through blood vessels. Angiogenesis plays an important role in tissue development, wound healing and some diseases, such as certain forms of cancer. Endothelial cells form the inner surface of blood vessels, and angiogenesis is determined by the behaviour and migration of endothelial cells. Thus, it is essential to understand the response of endothelial cells to their environment. It is known that endothelial cells are influenced by certain chemical and mechanical signals. For example, the flow rate of blood in a vessel affects the tendency of endothelial cells to migrate and participate in angiogenesis. However, the role of red blood cells, a major component of blood, interacting with the endothelial cells remains unknown.
In this project, mathematical and computational models will be developed to simulate the interaction between the flowing red blood cells and the endothelial cells. The first step is the development of an agent-based model of angiogenesis in the presence of red blood cells. A computational model of angiogenesis with resolved red blood cells and endothelial cells will then be developed. Both models will allow the investigation of the effect of red blood cell dynamics on the behaviour of endothelial cells in health and disease.
This project might improve our understanding of angiogenesis in health and disease, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches in certain diseases that involve angiogenesis, including cancer. The project might also lead to better diagnostics, for example, to determine if a given patient is currently undergoing some form of angiogenesis that might be indicative of disease. The project risks are mitigated by the joint skills and experience of the supervisory team (Dr Krueger and Prof Bernabeu) who have worked together for a decade.