Dr Gael Morrow
Biography | I am a Chancellor’s Research Fellow in the School of Pharmacy & Life Sciences. My main research interest is in fibrinolysis (degradation of a blood clot) and how the clot structure alters the rate of lysis in both inherited and acquired bleeding disorders. My current research is major bleeding following traumatic injury, which can be exacerbated by a clotting abnormality termed trauma induced coagulopathy (TIC). TIC occurs in 25% of all injury-related deaths and results in an increased need for major haemorrhage therapy and a 3-4 fold increased risk of death. My current research focusses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive TIC and investigating differences in clot strength and structure between different blood product replacement therapies. I am also investigating the haemostatic potential of coagulation Factor IX (FIX) in the extravascular space. Haemophilia B is a blood clotting disorder caused by deficiency of FIX, which is treated by infusion of FIX concentrates. The pharmacokinetics of FIX are complex and it is rapidly redistributed from the circulation following infusion. My research investigates FIX binding to collagen IV, an extracellular component of the endothelial membrane, and whether the FIX is active when bound to collagen IV out with the blood vessel. |
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Research Interests | Trauma coagulopathy Fibrinolysis Haemostasis Extravascular coagulation Inherited bleeding disorders Acquired bleeding disorders |
Teaching and Learning | I will be supervising undergraduate and post-graduate students completing research projects in my lab. I will also be supervising PhD students. |