Lipid Mediators

Fatty acids are important components of the human body. Apart from their role as constituents of cellular membranes, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can be enzymatically processed to generate a wide range of bioactive lipid mediators that regulate numerous biological processes to influence physiology as well as pathophysiology. Much of our work is focused on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) /soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) pathway and the role of the PUFA-derived mediators generated in vascular homeostasis. We have a keen interest in the identification of novel lipid mediators belonging to this pathway in inflammation, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, cell-cell interactions and the maintenance of vascular integrity. The metabolic syndrome and diabetes are associated with changes in CYP and sEH expression as well as PUFA metabolism, so many or our projects focus on the assessing the role of PUFA-derived lipid mediators in the associated cardiovascular complications e.g., diabetic retinopathy and heart failure.