Our group is a well-established research group with more than 30 years of experience in the study of the mechanisms involved in the functional, structural and mechanical alterations of the vasculature in various cardiovascular pathologies such as ageing, diabetes and, in particular, hypertension.

The group is located at the Faculty of Medicine (UAM) and maintains research collaborations with investigators at various universities in Spain and in other countries. Our main objective is to gain further insight into the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in alterations of resistance and conductance arteries in cardiovascular pathologies. To conduct our research, we generally use various experimental approaches including in vivo animal models, ex vivo experiments and in vitro cellbased studies combined with physiological, pharmacological and molecular biology techniques. In addition, we have begun to translate this knowledge into human studies. In terms of the mediators involved, we have a particular interest in the role of prostanoids derived from the inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and reactive oxygen species (and their interaction among each other or with other mediators such as nitric oxide) in inflammatory conditions that resemble those found in cardiovascular pathologies. This research is important given the essential role these mediators play in the control of vascular smooth muscle tone and vascular structure.