Vascular Biochemistry

The Vascular Biochemistry Group is based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) in the east end of Glasgow.  Formerly known as Pathological Biochemistry the Group was led by Professor Gemmell Morgan from 1965-1988 and Professor Jim Shepherd from 1988-2005.  Since 2006 the Group has been directed by Dr Muriel Caslake (MJC) and close collaborative links continue with Professor Chris Packard (CJP) an Honorary Professor of Vascular Biochemistry and the R&D Director for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde North Operating Division who has been associated with the Group since 1974.

The Group has an international reputation in the field of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and played the lead role in two large clinical trials (WOSCOPS – West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study and PROSPER – a Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk) which investigated the role of statins in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.  Along with the NHS Department of Clinical Biochemistry at GRI, the Group is the Scottish Regional Laboratory for the Supra Assay Regional Service (SAS) for Cardiovascular biomarkers (Director - MJC, Deputy Director – CJP), is CPA accredited, is the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) UK Laboratory for the Lipid Standardisation Programme and the UK CDC Reference Laboratory for cholesterol and HDL cholesterol measurements.  Current areas of research interest include investigations of lipoprotein metabolism using stable isotopes and kinetic modelling; the structure-function relationships of lipoproteins and their subfractions; mechanism of action studies on the influence of diet, drugs and exercise on lipoprotein metabolism; identification of subjects at risk using novel risk factors and the examination of psychological and biological effects of socioeconomic depravation in relation to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.