Studying how the human body works helps us to understand the many processes that maintain health and find better treatment for diseases. Through excellent research and teaching we can make a difference to future populations by improving our knowledge of health and disease.

Cardiovascular disease is particularly interesting; Heart and vascular health is fundamental to healthy living but nonetheless remains the greatest disease burden in the developed western world and remains a challenging area in biology.

Heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease are all driven by changes in vascular structure and function. The study of blood vessels and blood vessel cell biology in health and disease are central my research groups activity.

Working with colleagues within SIPBS (Biology, Pharmacology, Formulation, Drug Delivery, Pharmacy Practice) and within the wider research community within the University of Strathclyde (Chemistry, Bio-Engineering) ensures our collaborative research work is exciting and truly focusing on real clinical needs.  

Dr Paul Coats is an active researcher within cardiovascular research in SIPBS. His research focus is vascular physiology (health) and pathophysiology (disease). The studies of both large and small blood vessels are core to the research directed by Dr Paul Coats.

Specific research work:

• Role of reactive oxygen species in modulating acute vascular contractile responses in the microcirculation
• Effect of chronic ischaemic vascular disease on blood vessel structure and function
• Identifying mechanisms of vascular restenosis in response to stent insertion or balloon angioplasty
• Mechanisms underlying arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis that occurs in people undergoing renal dialysis 

• Vascular organ bath pharmacology
• Pressure Myography
• Primary cell culture
• Vascular Imaging
• Novel drug delivery 

Working in collaboration with colleagues within SIPBS, Chemistry and Bio-Engineering Dpts drug design and delivery research with our well established cell, organ culture and in-vivo models has a track record of attracting industrial support/ collaboration.