Haemostasis and Thrombosis

Haemostasis, or blood clotting, is a normal protective mechanism that prevents excessive blood los upon injury to blood vessels. This process is complex and involves the action of blood cells called platelets that recognise and respond to tissue injury, along an array of factors present in the blood and released at the site of injury.

Inappropriate activation of platelets, however, triggers the formation of clots within blood vessels and leads to Thrombosis. This is the principle cause of angina, heart attack and stroke, which together cause high levels of suffering and death. Thrombosis is frequently precipitated by the presence in arteries of atherosclerotic lesions which may rupture, causing the release of pro-thrombotic molecules and exposure of the blood vessel wall.

The suppression of platelet function with pharmacological agents is used successfully in many patients to prevent the occurrence of thrombosis. Current drugs, however, are ineffective in many patients and are associated with substantial side effects including bleeding.

At Reading, we are working to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate platelet function in health and disease. This includes identifying the signals present at sites of injury or blood vessel diseases that trigger platelet action, the receptor molecules on the platelet surface that recognise these signals, and tee cell machinery they control.