Tom Carter

Professor Tom Carter is a Professor of Endothelial Cell Biology at City St George's, University of London, where he joined the Division of Biomedical Sciences in October 2013. He currently serves as the head of the Cell Biology & Genetics research center at the university and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB). His research is centered within the Neuroscience & Cell Biology Research Institute, focusing on the molecular mechanisms controlling the regulated secretion of coagulant and inflammatory mediators from vascular endothelial cells.

Professor Carter received his joint honors degree in Physiology and Pharmacology from King's College London in 1986, followed by a PhD in Pharmacology under Professor Jeremy Pearson at the Vascular Biology Unit of the MRC Clinical Research Center in Harrow, London. His academic journey includes a British Heart Foundation Gerry Turner Fellowship (1995), a British Heart Foundation Basic University Lectureship (1998), and positions at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) before joining St George's University of London.

Professor Carter's research primarily investigates the biology of Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs), the main regulated secretory granules of endothelial cells. His work encompasses three interrelated research strands: understanding how the transport, exocytosis and recycling of WPBs in endothelial cells are controlled and regulated; examining the structural changes in von Willebrand Factor and WPBs during granule maturation, export and secretion; and investigating how WPB fusion pore opening and closing is regulated and controlled. His research has significant implications for understanding and treating conditions related to endothelial cell dysfunction, including hypertension, ischemia, stroke, heart attack, infection and cancer.

Professor Carter's extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on endothelial cell biology, particularly WPB structure and function. His recent work has expanded into related areas including melanocyte biology and calcium signaling, while maintaining a strong emphasis on the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular biology and coagulation disorders. His research combines advanced imaging techniques with molecular and cellular approaches to unravel the complexities of secretory processes in endothelial cells.

Among his notable achievements, Professor Carter has been awarded the British Heart Foundation Gerry Turner Fellowship and Basic University Lectureship, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in 2016. His work has been published in leading journals including Blood, Nature Communications, and Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

Professor Carter collaborates with numerous researchers both internally at City St George's and externally with institutions including Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, University of Edinburgh, Crick Institute, University of Strathclyde, and Royal Veterinary College. His research group investigates fundamental cellular processes with potential applications for novel therapeutic agents in human medicine.

Professor Carter leads a research team focused on endothelial cell biology within the Neuroscience & Cell Biology Research Institute. His laboratory employs advanced imaging techniques, molecular biology approaches, and cellular assays to study the secretory processes of endothelial cells. The team's work has implications for understanding and treating a range of vascular disorders and coagulation diseases.