TWO scientists from the University of Glasgow have been shortlisted for the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) annual Reflections of Research image competition.
A blend of science and art, the competition challenges scientists to showcase their research into cardiovascular health and disease through images.
The two Glasgow-based scientists shortlisted were NHF-funded post-doctoral researchers Dr Rheure Alves-Lopes and Dr Karla Neves.
Both images were taken as part of research projects aimed at tackling high blood pressure, a condition estimated to affect 29% of adults in Scotland. If left untreated it can lead to potentially life-threatening heart attacks or strokes.
Dr Alves-Lopes’s Blood Vessel Volcano shows the arteries and veins responsible for transporting blood, oxygen and nutrients to the body. He captured the image to study blood pressure architecture of people with and without high blood pressure in hopes of identifying a protein to create a drug to treat the condition.
Dr Alves-Lopes said: “I am delighted to be shortlisted for this year’s Reflections of Research image competition and share my passion for microscopy with the world.
“High blood pressure affects so many people and can have devastating consequences. I hope that by better understanding the impact it has on blood vessel structure, we can move towards better treatments.”
Dr Neves’s blood vessel research takes the shape of a comet soaring through the sky. Her research aims to understand why blood vessels do not function properly in people with high blood pressure and the biological mechanisms underpinning the dysfunctional blood vessels to aid in treatment of the condition.
Dr Neves said: “It is a real honour to be shortlisted for the BHF’s image competition and a great privilege to share my passion for the cutting-edge work that we do in the laboratory.
“High blood pressure is a major risk factor in developing heart and circulatory diseases, so we hope that by getting to the heart of how the blood vessels become dysfunctional, we may be able to develop better treatments, and save lives.”
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive at the BHF and one of the judges, said: “It is amazing to think that each of these beautiful images tell a story of the dedication of our brilliant BHF scientists as they make progress to save and improve lives.”
“I love how they all shine a spotlight on the stunning complexity of the cardiovascular system. The research behind these striking images could be what powers the next breakthroughs in tackling heart and circulatory diseases, saving lives in years to come.”
