Leading researcher

Assoc. Prof. Lyubomir Lyubomirov

The main objective of the study is to uncover novel cellular signalling mechanisms in the context of aging processes of preglomerular blood vessels. Contractile response of isolated preglomerular vascular rings will be measured by ex vivo wire myography. Osforylation of MYPT1 protein and expression of CaD, TG-2, and other key proteins regulating vascular contractility will be examined. Cellular and tissue localization of MYPT1, CaD and TG-2 proteins, etc. will be examined immunohistochemically by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Analyses will be performed by a multidisciplinary team from the following fields: urology, neurology, physiology, pathology and anatomy. Access will be provided to transgenic mouse models that target genes that regulate vascular tone. The project is expected to uncover new cellular signalling mechanisms that become defective with ageing. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to the development of new age-specific personalized treatments for kidney dysfunction.