Dr. Rhian Touyz
Professor of Medicine
Dr. Phil Gold Chair in Medicine
Canada Research Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine
Primary appointment: Department of Medicine
Secondary appointment: Department of Family Medicine
The overall goal of my research is to unravel the molecular and vascular mechanisms of hypertension and associated cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. Major areas of focus include signal transductions, oxidative stress, ion transporters, vascular biology, adipose biology and cardiovascular oncology. My research spans molecular biology to clinical studies with an emphasis on translational research. Currently accepting graduate students.
1. Rho kinase as a novel therapeutic target in small vessel disease and vascular dementia – insights from a Notch3 disease
We hypothesise that NOTCH3 gain-of-function is associated with activation of the Rho kinase pathway that promotes vascular smooth muscle cell de-differentiation, dysfunction and degeneration that underlies the vasculopathy of small vessel disease in CADASIL, a condition of premature vascular dementia.
2. Oxidative stress: the molecular driver of vascular damage in hypertension.
This study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress in hypertension, focusing on Nox5, Ca2+ signaling and ER stress
3. Vasoprotective effects of brown adipose tissue and implications in obesity-associated hypertension
This study investigates the molecular mechanisms whereby adipose tissue regulates vascular function in health and disease, focusing on adipokines derived from white and brown adipose tissue.