The Royal Society, the UK's national academy of science, has announced Professor Mandy MacLean (Professor of Pulmonary Pharmacology) as a holder of one of its prestigious Wolfson Research Merit Awards.

Jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the scheme aims to support respected scientists of outstanding achievement and potential.

Professor MacLean's research has focused for the last 15 years on developing new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension- high blood pressures in the lungs which occurs as a familial disease, in new-born babies and secondary to hypoxic respiratory diseases and left heart failure.

This disease involves the effects of serotonin and occurs most frequently in female patients. It was Professor MacLean's work in this field which was recognised through this merit award.

Professor MacLean said: "I am delighted to become a holder of this award, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my collaborators and particularly all the members of my group who have helped in this success."

The focus of its work is in demonstrating the involvement of serotonin in pulmonary hypertension, with recent studies examining the interactions of serotonin and oestrogens. The MacLean lab has identified important interactions between oestrogens and serotonin that may suggest new therapeutic approaches for pulmonary hypertension.

Professor MacLean was awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to Science at Holyrood on 13th July and has also recently been appointed as the Dean of Graduate Studies for the College of Medicine, veterinary and Life Sciences.

Further information:
Martin Shannon, Senior Media Relations Officer
University of Glasgow Tel: 0141 330 8593

First published: 21 July 2010

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