Smart Therapeutics for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a risk factor for many diseases. Currently, it is estimated that a quarter of the world's adult population is hypertensive. Recent studies have suggested that the immune system, and a particular immune cell - the macrophage - is involved in the development and progression of hypertension. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a protein produced by cells in our body; ET-1 raises blood pressure leading to hypertension. This project will explore the interactions between macrophages and ET-1. We hypothesise that these interactions may contribute to the development of high blood pressure.

We aim to apply bioengineering methodology to hypertension with the aim of approaching currently unresolved clinical questions from a novel perspective. To achieve this, this project uses a microfluidics system to determine how macrophage and ET-1 interact and will use Lattice-Boltzmann computer simulations to describe consequences of ET-1 and macrophages on local blood flow conditions.