Dr Jovana Serbanovic-Canic

School of Medicine and Population Health

Lecturer in Cardiovascular Science

Dr Jovana Serbanovic-Canic
Dr Jovana Serbanovic-Canic
Profile picture of Dr Jovana Serbanovic-Canic
j.serbanovic-canic@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9502
The Medical School

Full contact details

Dr Jovana Serbanovic-Canic
School of Medicine and Population Health
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
Profile

I am a Lecturer in Cardiovascular Science at the University of Sheffield, where I lead a research programme investigating how mechanical forces generated by blood flow shape vascular health and contribute to cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, yet many fundamental questions remain about why vascular disease develops at specific sites within the circulation and how disease progresses. My research seeks to understand how blood vessels sense and respond to mechanical cues such as blood flow, pressure and stretch, and how disruption of these processes drives vascular dysfunction.

My group focuses on vascular mechanobiology, with a particular interest in endothelial cells, the specialised cells that line the inside of blood vessels and act as key regulators of vascular homeostasis. We investigate how endothelial cells communicate with neighbouring vascular smooth muscle cells and other components of the vessel wall to regulate inflammation, barrier function, cell survival and vascular remodelling.

By combining mechanistic vascular biology with translational models of disease, our work aims to identify novel pathways that contribute to atherosclerosis, aneurysm development and other cardiovascular disorders, with the long-term goal of informing future therapeutic strategies.

Prior to my appointment as Lecturer, I held a British Heart Foundation Intermediate Basic Science Research Fellowship at the University of Sheffield, where I established an independent research programme investigating endothelial responses to disturbed blood flow in atherosclerosis. I completed my PhD as a Marie Curie Fellow at the University of Cambridge, studying the functional genomics of blood cell development.

Research interests

My group investigates how mechanical forces regulate vascular cell behaviour in health and disease. Blood vessels are constantly exposed to forces generated by blood flow, pressure and stretch. Endothelial cells sense these mechanical cues and convert them into biological signals that control inflammation, permeability, cell survival and communication with neighbouring cells. Disruption of these processes contributes to cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms.

Current research interests include:

Endothelial mechanosensing in cardiovascular disease

We investigate how endothelial cells sense mechanical forces generated by blood flow, particularly in regions of disturbed flow where vascular disease commonly develops. We are interested in the molecular pathways that link mechanical force to endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory activation, apoptosis, permeability and vascular remodelling.

PKD1-dependent vascular signalling

A major focus of the group is polycystin-1, encoded by PKD1. PKD1 is best known for its role in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, but cardiovascular complications are common in this condition and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Our work investigates how PKD1 regulates endothelial responses to mechanical force and how PKD1-dependent pathways contribute to vascular dysfunction, atherosclerosis and aneurysm biology.

Extracellular matrix remodelling and vascular wall dysfunction

Changes in extracellular matrix composition and organisation are central to vascular remodelling, plaque development and aneurysm formation. We investigate how endothelial mechanosensing pathways regulate extracellular matrix-associated molecules and how these changes contribute to structural weakening or dysfunction of the vessel wall.

Translational vascular models and data-driven biology

Our research combines mechanistic vascular biology with disease-relevant experimental systems and molecular analysis. Approaches used in the group include in vivo and in vitro models, flow-based assays, gene silencing, fluorescence microscopy, immunostaining, qPCR, protein-based assays, image analysis, bioinformatics and cutting edge -omics approaches. Through collaborations with clinical and basic science researchers, we aim to translate fundamental discoveries into clinically relevant insights for cardiovascular disease.

Publications

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Preprints

Research group
  • Mr George Bowley (NC3R PhD Studentship)
  • Mr Samuel Sendac (Research Technician)

I am always keen to hear from enthusiastic and motivated scientists interested in cardiovascular biology, vascular mechanobiology and translational vascular research.

Our laboratory offers a collaborative and supportive research environment where students and researchers can develop expertise in experimental vascular biology, advanced imaging, bioinformatics and cutting-edge multi-omics approaches.

Researchers in the group gain experience in:

  • Experimental models of cardiovascular disease
  • Endothelial and vascular cell biology
  • Flow-based mechanobiology systems
  • Advanced fluorescence microscopy
  • Molecular and cellular biology techniques
  • Bioinformatics and transcriptomic analysis
  • Scientific writing, presentation and grant development

Our aim is to provide interdisciplinary training that prepares researchers for careers in academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science and related sectors.

Self-Funded PhD Students & Scholarship Applicants 

I strongly encourage enquiries from prospective PhD students who are self-funded or planning to apply for national, governmental or international scholarship schemes.

If you are passionate about cardiovascular science and interested in pursuing doctoral research in one of the areas above, I would be delighted to discuss potential research projects and support your application.

Prospective applicants should email:

  • A current CV
  • A brief description of their research interests
  • Details of any existing or planned funding arrangements
Teaching activities

MBChB Phase 1 Cardiovascular Block Lead

Professional activities and memberships

  • Honorary Treasurer of the British Society for Cardiovascular Research (BSCR)

  • Member of the British Atherosclerosis Society (BAS)