Professor Gary F. Baxter
Professor of Pharmacology
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- baxtergf@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2068 8544
- Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB
Overview
I am Professor of Pharmacology with particular research interests in cardiovascular disease and therapy. Previously, I served as Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences (2017-2020) and Head of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2010 to 2017). Currently I am Independent Member (University) on Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Biography
I qualified in pharmacy at the University of Nottingham (BPharm) and The Royal London Hospital (MRPharmS). After a short period spent in clinical practice in hospitals in East Anglia, I undertook research training in experimental pharmacology. My PhD was awarded in 1992 for studies on the modulation of ischaemia and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy.
Supported by MRC, Wellcome Trust and British Heart Foundation grants and fellowships, I undertook postdoctoral training at UCL and The Cape Heart Centre, South Africa, before being appointed Senior Lecturer at UCL in 2001. I was appointed Reader in Cardiovascular Biology at The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, 2002-2007. I came to Cardiff as Professor of Pharmacology in 2007.
I have been elected to Fellowships of the British Pharmacological Society, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology. Previously, I served as committee member and Secretary of the British Society for Cardiovascular Research, European Secretary of the International Society for Heart Research, and Nucleus member and Treasurer of the European Society of Cardiology's Cell Biology of the Heart Working Group. I have been a member/associate editor of several editorial boards including British Journal of Pharmacology, Heart, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Research in Cardiology and Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
In 2009, the higher doctorate (DSc) was conferred by the University of Nottingham for a body of published works on protective actions of autacoid mediators in ischaemic and reperfused myocardium.
Publications
2021
- Andreadou, I. et al. 2021. Influence of cardiometabolic comorbidities on myocardial function, infarction, and cardioprotection: role of cardiac redox signaling. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 166, pp. 33-52. (10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.02.012)
2018
- Karwi, Q. G., Bice, J. S. and Baxter, G. F. 2018. Pre- and postconditioning the heart with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) against ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Basic Research in Cardiology 113(1), article number: 6. (10.1007/s00395-017-0664-8)
2017
- Jonas, K. C. et al. 2017. Natriuretic peptide activation of extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway by particulate guanylyl cyclases in GH3 somatolactotropes. Cell and Tissue Research 369(3), pp. 567-578. (10.1007/s00441-017-2624-x)
- Karwi, Q. G. et al. 2017. Ap39, a mitochondria-targeting hydrogen sulfide (H2 s) donor, protects against myocardial reperfusion injury independently of salvage kinase signalling. British Journal of Pharmacology 174(4), pp. 287-301. (10.1111/bph.13688)
2016
- Karwi, Q. G., Whiteman, M., Wood, M. E., Torregrossa, R. and Baxter, G. F. 2016. Pharmacological postconditioning against myocardial infarction with a slow-releasing hydrogen sulfide donor, GYY4137. Pharmacological Research 111, pp. 442-451. (10.1016/j.phrs.2016.06.028)
- Bice, J. S., Jones, B. R., Chamberlain, G. R. and Baxter, G. F. 2016. Nitric oxide treatments as adjuncts to reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review of experimental and clinical studies. Basic Research in Cardiology 111(2), article number: 23. (10.1007/s00395-016-0540-y)
2015
- Bice, J. S. and Baxter, G. F. 2015. Postconditioning signalling in the heart: mechanisms and translatability. British Journal of Pharmacology 172(8), pp. 1933-1946. (10.1111/bph.12976)
2014
- Ferdinandy, P., Hausenloy, D. J., Heusch, G., Baxter, G. F. and Schulz, R. 2014. Interaction of risk factors, comorbidities, and comedications with ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardioprotection by preconditioning, postconditioning, and remote conditioning. Pharmacological Reviews 66(4), pp. 1142-1174. (10.1124/pr.113.008300)
- Bice, J. S., Burley, D. and Baxter, G. F. 2014. Novel approaches and opportunities for cardioprotective signaling through 3',5'-cyclic muanosine monophosphate manipulation. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 19(3), pp. 269-282. (10.1177/1074248413518971)
- Bice, J. S., Keim, Y., Stasch, J. and Baxter, G. F. 2014. NO-independent stimulation or activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase during early reperfusion limits infarct size. Cardiovascular Research 101(2), pp. 220-228. (10.1093/cvr/cvt257)
- Thompson, I. R. et al. 2014. Homologous and heterologous desensitization of guanylyl cyclase-B signaling in GH3 somatolactotropes. Cell and Tissue Research 355(2), pp. 425-436. (10.1007/s00441-013-1763-y)
- Burley, D., Cox, C. D., Zhang, J., Wann, K. T. and Baxter, G. F. 2014. Natriuretic peptides modulate ATP-sensitive K+ channels in rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. Basic Research in Cardiology 109, article number: 402. (10.1007/s00395-014-0402-4)
2012
- Burley, D. S., Cox, C. D., Wann, K. T. and Baxter, G. F. 2012. P541: Natriuretic peptide inhibition of sarcolemmal atp-sensitive potassium channel in rat cardiomyocytes [Abstract]. Cardiovascular Research 93(S1), pp. S105-S106. (10.1093/cvr/cvr336)
2010
- Ovize, M. et al. 2010. Postconditioning and protection from reperfusion injury: where do we stand? Position Paper from the Working Group of Cellular Biology of the Heart of the European Society of Cardiology. Cardiovascular Research 87(3), pp. 406-423. (10.1093/cvr/cvq129)
- Elsey, D., Fowkes, R. C. and Baxter, G. F. 2010. L-cysteine stimulates hydrogen sulfide synthesis in myocardium associated with attenuation of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 15(1), pp. 53-59. (10.1177/1074248409357743)
- Hamid, S. A., Totzeck, M., Drexhage, C., Thompson, I., Fowkes, R. C., Rassaf, T. and Baxter, G. F. 2010. Nitric oxide/cGMP signalling mediates the cardioprotective action of adrenomedullin in reperfused myocardium. Basic Research in Cardiology 105(2), pp. 257-266. (10.1007/s00395-009-0058-7)
- Elsey, D., Fowkes, R. C. and Baxter, G. F. 2010. Regulation of cardiovascular cell function by hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Cell Biochemistry and Function 28(2), pp. 95-106. (10.1002/cbf.1618)
- Gorbe, A., Giricz, Z., Szunyog, A., Csont, T., Burley, D. S., Baxter, G. F. and Ferdinandy, P. 2010. Role of cGMP-PKG signaling in the protection of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes subjected to simulated ischemia/reoxygenation. Basic Research in Cardiology 105(5), pp. 643-650. (10.1007/s00395-010-0097-0)
- Hausenloy, D. J. et al. 2010. Translating novel strategies for cardioprotection: the Hatter Workshop Recommendations. Basic Research in Cardiology 105(6), pp. 677-686. (10.1007/s00395-010-0121-4)
- Rautureau, Y., Gowers, I., Wheeler-Jones, C. P. D. and Baxter, G. F. 2010. C-type natriuretic peptide regulation of guanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate production in human endothelial cells. Autonomic and Autacoid Pharmacology 30(3), pp. 185-192. (10.1111/j.1474-8673.2009.00449.x)
2009
- Giricz, Z., Gorbe, A., Pipis, J., Burley, D. S., Ferdinandy, P. and Baxter, G. F. 2009. Hyperlipidaemia induced by a high-cholesterol diet leads to the deterioration of guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate/protein kinase G-dependent cardioprotection in rats. British Journal of Pharmacology 158(6), pp. 1495-1502. (10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00424.x)
- Burley, D. S. and Baxter, G. F. 2009. Pharmacological targets revealed by myocardial postconditioning. Current Opinion in Pharmacology 9(2), pp. 177-188. (10.1016/j.coph.2008.11.009)
2008
- Burley, D., George, C., Wann, K. T. and Baxter, G. 2008. Evidence for serca and BKCa activation in BNP protection of reperfused myocardium [Abstract]. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 44(4), pp. 717. (10.1016/j.yjmcc.2008.02.015)
- Gorbe, A., Giricz, Z., Szunyog, A., Baxter, G. F., Csont, T. and Ferdinandy, P. 2008. Role of NO-cGMP-PKG signalling in the protection of cardiac myocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation [Abstract]. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 44(4), pp. 808., article number: 231. (10.1016/j.yjmcc.2008.02.232)
- Kleinz, M. J. and Baxter, G. F. 2008. Apelin reduces myocardial reperfusion injury independently of PI3K/Akt and P70S6 kinase. Regulatory Peptides 146(1-3), pp. 271-277. (10.1016/j.regpep.2007.10.002)
- Baxter, G. F. and Burley, D. S. 2008. Reperfusion and calculated RISKs: pharmacological postconditioning of human myocardium. British Journal of Pharmacology 153(1), pp. 1-3. (10.1038/sj.bjp.0707498)
- Hamid, S. A., Davidson, S. M., Burley, D. S., Yellon, D. M. and Baxter, G. F. 2008. Rho-kinase mediates reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocyte death and promotes mitochondrial transition pore opening. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 44(4), pp. 791-792.
2007
- Burley, D. S. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. Activation of particulate guanylate cyclase during early reperfusion limits infarct size in the rat isolated heart. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 42(6(S)), pp. S209. (10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.03.633)
- Elsey, D., Fowkes, R. C. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. H2S production in myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 42(6), pp. S197-S198. (10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.03.600)
- Giricz, Z., Burley, D. S., Ferdinandy, P. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. Activation of cyclic GMP/PKG pathway fails to limit infarct size in hearts from hyperlipidaemic rats. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 42(6), pp. S214-S214. (10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.03.647)
- Gorbe, A., Giricz, Z., Huliak, I., Baxter, G. F. and Ferdinandy, P. 2007. NO-cGMP-PKG signalling pathway involved in the protection of cardiac myocytes during hypoxia/reoxygenation. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 42(6(S1)), pp. 48-S49. (10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.03.137)
- Hamid, S. A., Totzeck, M., Drexhage, C., Thompson, I., Fowkes, R. C., Rassaf, T. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. NO/cGMP pathway in adrenomedullin mediated cardioprotection in mouse. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 42(6), pp. S195. (10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.03.592)
- Kleinz, M. J. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. Apelin reduces myocardial reperfusion injury independent of PI3K/Akt and P70S6K [Abstract]. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 42(6, S1), pp. S203. (10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.03.616)
- Baxter, G. F., Bower, H. and Hamid, S. 2007. Rho-kinase activation plays a major role as a mediator of irreversible injury in reperfused myocardium. American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology 292(6), pp. H2598-H2606. (10.1152/ajpheart.01393.2006)
- Burley, D. S. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. B-type natriuretic peptide at early reperfusion limits infarct size in the rat isolated heart. Basic Research in Cardiology 102(6), pp. 529-541. (10.1007/s00395-007-0672-1)
- Burley, D. S., Ferdinandy, P. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. Cyclic GMP and protein kinase-G in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion: opportunities and obstacles for survival signaling. British Journal of Pharmacology 152(6), pp. 855-869. (10.1038/sj.bjp.0707409)
- Burley, D. S., Hamid, S. A. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. Cardioprotective actions of peptide hormones in myocardial ischemia. Hear Failure Reviews 12(3-4), pp. 279-291. (10.1007/s10741-007-9029-y)
- Ebrahim, Z., Yellon, D. M. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. Attenuated cardioprotective response to bradykinin, but not classical ischaemic preconditioning, in DOCA-salt hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy. Pharmacological Research 55(1), pp. 42-48. (10.1016/j.phrs.2006.10.004)
- Ebrahim, Z., Yellon, D. M. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. Ischemic preconditioning is lost in aging hypertensive rat heart: Independent effects of aging and longstanding hypertension. Experimental Gerontology 42(8), pp. 807-814. (10.1016/j.exger.2007.04.005)
- Ferdinandy, P., Schulz, R. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. Interaction of cardiovascular risk factors with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, preconditioning, and postconditioning. Pharmacological Reviews 59(4), pp. 418-458. (10.1124/pr.107.06002)
- Hamid, S. A., Bower, H. S. and Baxter, G. F. 2007. Rho kinase activation plays a major role as a mediator of irreversible injury in reperfused myocardium. American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology 292(6), pp. H2598-H2606. (10.1152/ajpheart.01393.2006)
2003
- Baxter, G. F., Kis, A. and Yellon, D. 2003. Second window of protection following myocardial preconditioning: an essential role of PI3 kinase and p70S6 kinase. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 35(9), pp. 1063-1071. (10.1016/S0022-2828(03)00208-6)
- D'Souza, S. P. et al. 2003. B-type natriuretic peptide limits infarct size in rat isolated heart via KATP channel opening. American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology 284(5), pp. H1592-H1600. (10.1152/ajpheart.00902.2002)
- Baxter, G. F., Kis, A. and Yellon, D. 2003. Role of nuclear factor-kB activation in acute ischaemia-reperfusion injury in myocardium. British Journal of Pharmacology 138(5), pp. 894-900. (10.1038/sj.bjp.0705108)
Teaching
I provide undergraduate project, dissertation and tutorial supervision in the MPharm programme. I have extensive experience of curriculum design, review, approval and assessment in Cardiff and external institutions.
For several decades, ischaemic heart disease has been a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialised nations. While in the UK and USA there are trends towards a reduction in mortality from ischaemic heart disease, the condition is predicted to become the leading cause of death worldwide by 2030, outstripping death due to infectious or neoplastic disesases. Ischaemic heart disease therefore represents a significant and ongoing medical and scientific challenge.
Research interests
- Myocardial and coronary vascular biology, with a special emphasis on the pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction
- Cellular basis of ischaemia-reperfusion injury and mechanisms of cardioprotection
Recent research supervision (PhD students, post doctoral associates and visiting scholars)
Qutuba Karwi BSc MSc PhD
Joao Bigares DVM, PhD
Eylem Suveren PhD
Justin S Bice BSc PhD
Osian Llwyd BSc MSc PhD
Sian James BSc PhD
David Elsey BSc, MSc, PhD
Dwaine Burley BSc PhD
Dmitra Andreou (Erasmus Scholar, University of Athens, 2011)
Meropi Mastropetrou (Erasmus Scholar, University of Athens, 2015-2016)
Abbes Cadi-Tazi (Erasmus Scholar, University of Grenoble, 2012)
Paolo Strazzacappa (Erasmus Scholar, University of Padova, 2009-2010)
