معرفی
Frances Plane is an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta specializing in vascular biology and cardiovascular pharmacology. Her research targets endothelial dysfunction in metabolic diseases, focusing on endothelial-smooth muscle communication mechanisms critical for blood pressure regulation and tissue perfusion.
Education:
- PhD Pharmacology, University of London, 1992
Her laboratory investigates how disruption of endothelial-derived factors like nitric oxide and myoendothelial gap junctions contributes to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis in diabetes. Using functional, electrophysiological, and molecular approaches, her team identifies novel ion channel targets to restore vascular function. Current work emphasizes metabolic disease models and therapeutic strategies for endothelial repair.
Recent publications (2018-2022) reveal strong thematic continuity in vascular pharmacology, with emphasis on endothelial ion channels, platelet-vascular interactions, and sex-specific responses. Key trends include oxidative stress mechanisms in metabolic disease, repurposing existing drugs for vascular conditions, and myoendothelial feedback pathways as therapeutic targets.
Scientific Awards:
- NSERC Discovery Grant
- Research Grant from Marshall Eliuk Fund for Medical Research
Dr. Plane actively mentors graduate students including MSc candidate Stephen Gust, while leading a research team with lab assistant Caleb McInroy. Her grants support investigations into vascular dysfunction biomarkers and novel interventions for diabetic vascular complications. She is affiliated with the Cardiovascular Research Institute and teaches PMCOL425 (Pharmacology).
Her laboratory operates from the Medical Sciences Building (9-62), utilizing advanced techniques to study resistance artery physiology and endothelial signaling pathways in metabolic disease contexts.
