The Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit (CPGRU)
The Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit is interested in the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease with the aim of identifying both novel drug targets, and clarifying the role of previously identified drug targets for these disease processes. Our particular areas of clinical interest include hypertension and heart failure. In this regard we are concerned with the environmental, phenotypic and molecular/genetic mechanisms of hypertension and target organ damage in hypertension and heart failure in urban, developing communities of African ancestry. With regards to heart failure we are interested in the cellular, molecular, genetic and structural mechanisms responsible for the progression from compensated cardiac hypertrophy to cardiac dilatation. We are a unique laboratory in that our areas of expertise cross a wide range of disciplines from animal-based studies to epidemiology and from clinical physiology to molecular/genetic medicine. We are one of the few laboratories in sub-Saharan Africa that publish on a relatively regular basis in high impact cardiovascular journals such as "Circulation" and "Hypertension" and across both a clinical and basic science spectrum
An opportunity exists within the School of Physiology (Exercise Laboratory and Sleep Laboratory) to pursue post-doctoral work or PhD/MSc studies within the following fields:
1. Exercise and sleep research
The effect of jet lag on sleep, exercise and cognitive performance in rugby players. This project will run in collaboration with the University of Western Australia (School of Human Movement and Exercise Science), and has both a laboratory component (developing a model of jet lag), and a field work component.
2. Exercise and pain research
The effect of intermittent cold /ice immersion on the incidence of delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) in athletes.
