Molecular Physiology

The Molecular Physiology group is based in the Queen's Medical Research Institute, adjacent to the University of Edinburgh Medical School, and has excellent facilities for molecular biology and cell culture research. There are currently ~20 full and part-time research staff directed by Professor John Mullins, including postdoctoral scientists, technicians and graduate students, and the group hosts short-term undergraduates and visiting researchers from both the UK and abroad for both collaborative studies and training. See all Molecular Physiology staff.

Our research is supported by external research funding from The Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, and the British Heart Foundation and includes major collaborative programmes with Professor Jonathan Seckl (Edinburgh), Prof Julian Davis (Manchester), Professor Michael White (Liverpool), Professor Kenneth Mitchell (Tulane), and Dr Steve Morley (Edinburgh). The research aims are to investigate molecular and cellular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and to integrate molecular biology, genetics and physiology skills towards this goal. The central theme is the study of the regulation of key genes involved in controlling blood pressure and encompasses a wide range of approaches including gene cloning, genetic mapping, bioinformatics, cell culture and transgenesis.

The group provides an excellent setting for researchers wishing to address questions of fundamental importance to cardiovascular health, and brings together skilled molecular biologists, physiologists, cell biologists and bioinformaticians, in an environment in which interaction and collaboration is strongly encouraged.