Alister McNeish

I have a passion for studying and trying to eradicate cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in the UK. With our ageing population the incidence of cardiovascular disease is increasing. Therefore there is a pressing need for new and better treatments for these diseases. My main focus is on vascular pharmacology. I study the constriction of the smooth muscle cells that form the wall of blood vessels and how it interacts with circulating factors and with neighbouring cells -especially the endothelial cells that line all blood vessels. Understanding these processes help us develop new strategies for regulating blood flow and blood pressure; perhaps leading to new treatments for cardiovascular diseases. My current work concentrates on mechanisms involved in the vascular responses to omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) and their effect on potassium channels. I have previously extensively studied regulation of calcium activated potassium (KCa) channels and Endothelium Dependent Hyperpolarization (EDH) dependent vasodilator responses in arteries.

I have a strong interest in the endocannabinoid system and have studied the effect of the cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) in epilepsy and am currently investigating some of the cardiovascular effects of CBD and other cannabinoids .

My research forms part of the University of Readings Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (ICMR; http://www.reading.ac.uk/icmr/) I currently have a 2 British Heart Foundation funded research projects and have extensive previous research funding from the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies and research charities.

I was vice president (Engagement) of the British Pharmacological Society from 2017-2020. http://www.bps.ac.uk/