Why does turbulent blood flow cause cardiovascular disease?

Forces are important in the cardiovascular system, acting as regulators of vascular physiology and pathology. Vascular endothelial cells are constantly exposed to mechanical forces, such as shear stress, due to the flowing blood. Patterns of blood flow depend on blood vessel geometry and type and can range from uniform blood flow (which is protective) to disturbed blood flow (which is pathologic). Although we know that endothelial cells can sense and respond differently to different types of flow, the mechanisms by which they sense and respond to blood flow remain a mystery. Our laboratory has pioneered the studies of endothelial mechanosensing and has championed the use of a multi-disciplinary approach to this scientific problem. 

The focus of the proposed studentship is to identify mechanisms by which endothelial cells sense and respond to blood flow.  The student will have the opportunity to be exposed to a wide range of techniques based on the student’s individual interests that include: 
1) use of imaging and genetic approaches to characterize how mechanosensing affects disease intitiation and progression ; 
2) applying high throughput RNA sequencing and proteomics approaches to globally dissect steps involved in disease aetiology; and 
3) use of bioinformatics and biochemical experimental approaches to understand the role of blood flow forces in cardiovascular disease.

Reference:
Mehta V, Pang K, Rozbesky D, Nather K, Keen A, Lachowski D, Kong Y, Karia D, Ameismeier M, Huang J, Fang Y, Hernandez A, Reader JS, Jones EY, Tzima E. The Guidance Receptor Plexin D1 moonlights as an endothelial mechanosensor.2020 Nature Feb 5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32025034/