Centre for Genomic Medicine Research

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide.  Globally, over 1 billion people are diagnosed with hypertension and this number has doubled since 1990.  Lowering blood pressure can cut the number of strokes by 35%–40%, heart attacks by 20%–25%, and heart failure by 50%, yet only a minority of those with hypertension are optimally managed.

There are a large number of anti-hypertensive therapies available, yet individual responses vary and efficacy remains a concern. The initiating causes and pathogenic mechanisms for hypertension are largely unknown and markers for prognosis of adult hypertension could improve prevention, diagnosis and disease management.

Investigating the interaction between genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors which play a role in the mechanisms underpinning pharmacogenomic therapeutic options for treatment of hypertension, our multidisciplinary research brings together expertise in genomics with collaborators in regenerative medicine (University of Galway) and nutrition (NICHE, Ulster University).  We use a range of molecular biology, cellular assays, human studies and bioinformatic analysis across four broad themes: