David Wilson

Research Interests

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Cardiovascular System & Hematology Cell Physiology Cardiac, Respiratory and Vascular Health Musculoskeletal Health Translational Health Outcomes

Dr David Wilson

Lecturer

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

College of Health

Dr. Wilson Heads the Molecular Physiology of Vascular Function Research Group at the University of Adelaide. The Group explores novel approaches to manage the molecular defects that cause a variety of vascular disorders, including: hypertension, vasospasm, and sepsis mediated hypotension.

Research Team and Goals
Research Objectives

The objectives of our research group are to identify and investigate mechanisms and therapies for vasomotor disorders. The research involves investigation of vasospasm of large or small vessels and mechanisms contributing to vasodilatory septic shock. The research team is involved in both preclinical, basic research, and translational research using a three-pronged approach, which includes:

Clinical characterization of vasomotor disorders

Discovery of underlying molecular mechanisms

Exploring novel therapies in basic & clinical studies.

Current Research Projects:

Molecular mechanisms regulating vasodilatation in septic shock

Novel strategies to improve vascular tone in the hypotensive critically ill patient.

Molecular mechanisms restricting microvascular blood flow in patients suffering with peripheral vascular disease.

Therapeutic strategies to improve microvascular blood flow, and wound healing in patients with symptomatic peripheral vascular disease.

Acute vasospasm: novel strategies to limit vascular calcium entry and calcium sensitisation in the vasculature

Reactive oxygen species: the molecular basis for altered Ca2+ sensitivity in skeletal and cardiac muscle.

New Project for 2020:

Title: Stress as a Barrier to Optimal Clinical Performance in Third-Year Dental Students

Description: This would be part of a broader research project involving staff from dentistry, health and medical sciences, and psychology. The overarching aim of the research is to better equip current students with skills to manage both short- and long-term clinical stress during their training and career as dental practitioners. This project will use self-report and physiological data related to stress. While a psychology student is welcome to be involved in multiple facets of the project, for a thesis it is anticipated that a student would use qualitative research methods (focus groups) to gain information about dental students’ perceptions of stressors in relation to clinical practice and their current stress management strategies.

Project Available for: Honours, Masters

Commencing: Semester 1 2020

Special Requirements: Nil

Experience and opportunities gained from working in our research group

Postgraduate students undertaking research in the clinical and molecular physiology of vascular function research group have gained experience and knowledge in the following areas:

Clinical research, vascular function testing, patch clamp analysis, molecular biology, biochemistry, and calcium imaging.

Travel and Share the excitement of your discovery

Current and past students have enjoyed travelling and presenting their research findings at both national and international conferences in the following locations:

France, Spain, Greece, UK, USA, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth.

The Molecular Physiology of Vascular Smooth Muscle Research Group is interested in enquiries from potential PhD applicants (eligible for, Federal or University funding schemes) for projects in research areas described on these pages.

Date Position Institution name
2005 - ongoing Lecturer & Head: Clinical & Molecular Physiology of Vascular Function Research Group University of Adelaide
2005 - 2010 Adjunct Assistant Research Professor University of Calgary
2004 - 2005 Assistant Research Professor University of Calgary

Language Competency
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
University of Manitoba Canada PhD
University of Guelph Canada MSc
Brandon University Canada BSc(Specialist)

Date Title Institution Country
2001 - 2004 Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation Fellowship University of Calgary Canada
1999 - 2001 Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Fellowship University of Calgary Canada

Year Citation
2024 Beltrame, J. F., & Wilson, D. P. (2024). Developing Novel Therapies in Coronary Vasomotor Disorders: Translational Gaps from Basic Science to Clinical Impact. . The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, 390(3), 277-279.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2019 Wilkinson, K., McNamara, I., Wilson, D., & Riggs, K. (2019). Using learning analytics to evaluate course design and student behaviour in an online wine business course. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 27(4), 97-108.
Scopus5
2019 Jaghoori, A., Lamin, V., Jacobczak, R., Worthington, M., Edwards, J., Viana, F., . . . Beltrame, J. F. (2019). Sex differences in vascular reactivity of coronary artery bypass graft conduits.. Heart and vessels, 35(3), 422-431.
DOI Scopus7 WoS5 Europe PMC3
2018 Kitson, A., Brook, A., Harvey, G., Jordan, Z., Marshall, R., O'Shea, R., & Wilson, D. (2018). Using complexity and network concepts to inform healthcare knowledge translation. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 7(3), 231-243.
DOI Scopus128 WoS107 Europe PMC81
2018 Lamin, V., Jaghoori, A., Jakobczak, R., Stafford, I., Heresztyn, T., Worthington, M., . . . Beltrame, J. (2018). Mechanisms responsible for serotonin vascular reactivity sex differences in the internal mammary artery. Journal of the American Heart Association, 7(14), e007126.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC10
2016 Lamin, V., Worthington, M., Edwards, J., Viana, F., Stuklis, R., Wilson, D., & Beltrame, J. (2016). Endothelial denudation of isolated human internal mammary artery segments. Cardiovascular Pharmacology: Open Access, 5(3), 1000180-1-1000180-5.
DOI
2015 Reddi, B., Iannella, S., O'Connor, S., Deane, A., Willoughby, S., & Wilson, D. (2015). Attenuated platelet aggregation in patients with septic shock is independent from the activity state of myosin light chain phosphorylation or a reduction in Rho kinase-dependent inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 3(1), 37-1-37-17.
DOI Scopus9 Europe PMC5
2015 Reddi, B., Beltrame, J., Young, R., & Wilson, D. (2015). Calcium desensitisation in late polymicrobial sepsis is associated with loss of vasopressor sensitivity in a murine model. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 3(1), 36-1-36-15.
DOI Scopus8 Europe PMC4
2014 Scrimgeour, N., Wilson, D., Barritt, G., & Rychkov, G. (2014). Structural and stoichiometric determinants of Ca2 + release-activated Ca2 + (CRAC) channel Ca2 +-dependent inactivation. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes, 1838(5), 1281-1287.
DOI Scopus15 WoS15 Europe PMC11
2012 Kopetz, V., Penno, M., Hoffmann, P., Wilson, D., & Beltrame, J. (2012). Potential mechanisms of the acute coronary syndrome presentation in patients with the coronary slow flow phenomenon - Insight from a plasma proteomic approach. International Journal of Cardiology, 156(1), 84-91.
DOI Scopus39 WoS33 Europe PMC28
2012 Scrimgeour, N., Wilson, D., & Rychkov, G. (2012). Glu(106) in the Orai1 pore contributes to fast Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation and pH dependence of Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) current. Biochemical Journal, 441(2), 743-753.
DOI Scopus35 WoS35 Europe PMC30
2009 Hong, F., Haldeman, B., John, O., Brewer, P., Wu, Y., Ni, S., . . . Cremo, C. (2009). Characterization of tightly associated smooth muscle myosin-myosin light-chain kinase-calmodulin complexes. Journal of Molecular Biology, 390(5), 879-892.
DOI Scopus27 WoS23 Europe PMC21
2009 Wilson, D., Smith, C., Turner, S., Saint, D., & Beltrame, J. (2009). Response to Is Combined L- and T-Channel Blockade Better than L-Channel Blockade in Therapy?. Hypertension, 54(1), E4.
DOI
2009 Smith, C., Wilson, D., Turner, S., Saint, D., & Beltrame, J. (2009). Heterogeneity of L- and T-channels in the vasculature: Rationale for the efficacy of combined L- and T-blockade. Hypertension, 53(4), 654-660.
DOI Scopus51 WoS47 Europe PMC42
2008 Smith, C., Saint, D., Wilson, D., & Beltrame, J. (2008). Heterogeneity in vasomotor responses to L- and T-type calcium channel blockers. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 44(4), 817-818.
DOI
2007 Chang, N., Sutherland, C., Hesse, E., Winkfein, R., Wiehler, W., Pho, M., . . . Walsh, M. (2007). Identification of a novel interaction between the Ca2+-binding protein S100A11 and the Ca2+- and phospholipid-binding protein annexin A6. American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology, 292(4), C1417-C1430.
DOI Scopus32 Europe PMC27
2007 Ihara, E., Edwards, E., Borman, M. A., Wilson, D. P., Walsh, M. P., & MacDonald, J. A. (2007). Inhibition of zipper-interacting protein kinase function in smooth muscle by a myosin light chain kinase pseudosubstrate peptide. American Journal of Physiology Cell Physiology, 292(5), C1951-C1959.
DOI Scopus16 Europe PMC14
2006 Maruyama, Y., Nakanishi, Y., Walsh, E., Wilson, D., Welsh, D., & Cole, W. (2006). Heteromultimeric TRPC6-TRPC7 channels contribute to arginine vasopressin-induced cation current of A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells. Circulation Research, 98(12), 1520-1527.
DOI Scopus84 Europe PMC72
2005 Wilson, D., Susnjar, M., Kiss, E., Sutherland, C., & Walsh, M. (2005). Thromboxane A2-induced contraction of rat caudal arterial smooth muscle involves activation of Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ sensitization: Rho-associated kinase-mediated phosphorylation of MYPT1 at Thr-855, but not Thr-697. Biochemical Journal, 389(3), 763-774.
DOI Scopus175 Europe PMC149
2005 Wilson, D., Sutherland, C., Borman, M., Deng, J., MacDonald, J., & Walsh, M. (2005). Integrin-linked kinase is responsible for Ca2+-independent myosin diphosphorylation and contraction of vascular smooth muscle. Biochemical Journal, 392(3), 641-648.
DOI Scopus103 Europe PMC93
2004 Zahradka, P., Harding, G., Litchie, B., Thomas, S., Werner, J., Wilson, D., & Yurkova, N. (2004). Activation of MMP-2 in response to vascular injury is mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent expression of MT1-MMP. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 287(6), H2861-H2870.
DOI
2004 Zhao, M., Sutherland, C., Wilson, D., Deng, J., MacDonald, J., & Walsh, M. (2004). Identification of the linker histone H1 as a protein kinase Cε-binding protein in vascular smooth muscle. Biochemistry and Cell Biology-Biochimie et Biologie Cellulaire, 82(5), 538-546.
DOI Scopus10 Europe PMC8
2003 Sward, K., Mita, M., Wilson, D., Deng, J., Susnjar, M., & Walsh, M. (2003). The role of RhoA and Rho-associated kinase in vascular smooth muscle contraction. Current Hypertension Reports, 5(1), 66-72.
DOI Scopus149 Europe PMC128
2003 Wilson, D., Massaeli, H., Russell, J., Pierce, G., & Zahradka, P. (2003). Low matrix metalloproteinase levels precede vascular lesion formation in the JCR:LA-cp rat. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 249(1-2), 151-155.
DOI
2003 Wilson, D., Massaeli, H., Pierce, G., & Zahradka, P. (2003). Native and minimally oxidized low density lipoprotein depress smooth muscle matrix metalloproteinase levels. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 249(1-2), 141-149.
DOI
2002 Muranyi, A., MacDonald, J., Deng, J., Wilson, D., Haystead, T., Walsh, M., . . . Hartshorne, D. (2002). Phosphorylation of the myosin phosphatase target subunit by integrin-linked kinase. Biochemical Journal, 366(1), 211-216.
DOI Scopus153 Europe PMC131
2002 Van Lierop, J., Wilson, D., Davis, J., Tikunova, S., Sutherland, C., Walsh, M., & Johnson, J. (2002). Activation of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase by calmodulin. Role of LYS(30) and GLY(40). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(8), 6550-6558.
DOI Scopus50 Europe PMC38
2002 Wilson, D., Sutherland, C., & Walsh, M. (2002). Ca2+ activation of smooth muscle contraction: evidence for the involvement of calmodulin that is bound to the triton insoluble fraction even in the absence of Ca2+. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(3), 2186-2192.
DOI Scopus73 Europe PMC55
2001 Yau, L., Wilson, D., Werner, J., & Zahradka, P. (2001). Bradykinin receptor antagonists attenuate neointimal proliferation postangioplasty. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 281(4), H1648-H1656.

Year Citation
2011 Wilson, D. P. (2011). Vascular Smooth Muscle Structure and Function. In R Fitridge and M Thompson (Ed.), Mechanisms of Vascular Disease (pp. 13-23). University of Adelaide Press.
DOI Scopus18
2007 Walsh, M., Susnjar, M., Deng, J., Sutherland, C., Kiss, E., & Wilson, D. (2007). Phosphorylation of the Protein Phosphatase Type 1 Inhibitor Protein CPI-17 by Protein Kinase C. In Greg Moorhead (Ed.), Protein Phosphatase Protocols (Vol. 365, pp. 209-224). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press.
DOI Scopus17 Europe PMC17

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2022 Co-Supervisor Biological Studies in Coronary Vasomotor Disorders Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Alex Minopoulos
2022 Principal Supervisor The challenge of too much and too little vasoconstriction in patient populations: towards improvement in clinical management of cardiac patients with coronary spasm and septic shock patients with vasopressor insensitivity Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Anastasia Zacharia
2022 Principal Supervisor The challenge of too much and too little vasoconstriction in patient populations: towards improvement in clinical management of cardiac patients with coronary spasm and septic shock patients with vasopressor insensitivity Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Anastasia Zacharia
2022 Co-Supervisor Biological Studies in Coronary Vasomotor Disorders Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Alex Minopoulos
2020 Co-Supervisor Improving Functioning for People with Neurological Health Conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Anupam Datta Gupta

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2013 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Molecular Mechanisms of Sex-Differences in Vascular Reactivity of Human Internal Mammary Artery Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Victor Lamin
2011 - 2014 Principal Supervisor Vascular reactivity in sepsis and platelet dysfunction in septic shock Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time APrf Benjamin John Reddi
2010 - 2013 Principal Supervisor The Molecular Basis of Small Vessel Constriction in Endothelin-1 Models and Peripheral Arterial Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Kanchani Kitto
2010 - 2013 Principal Supervisor Regulation of Calcium-Dependent Vasoconstriction in Large and Small Arteries Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Yann Yoong Chan
2010 - 2011 Principal Supervisor The functional and molecular consequences of oxidation in the skeletal muscle myofilament Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Timothy Nicholas Spencer
2010 - 2011 Principal Supervisor Statin mediated vasodilation in the vaculature Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Scott Copley
2010 - 2012 Co-Supervisor The Role of Stim and Orai Proteins in the CalCium Release-Activated CalCium Channel Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nathan Scrimgeour
2010 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Sex-Dependent Differences in Vasomotor Responses of Older Male and Female Humans Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Amenah Jaghoori
2006 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Calcium Channel Distribution in the Arterial Vascular Tree and its Relation to Function Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Christine Smith

Date Role Board name Institution name Country
2017 - 2018 Advisory Board Member SGDE Program Evaluation Board University of Adelaide Australia
2016 - ongoing Member Health Sciences Program Board University of Adelaide Australia

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2017 - 2018 Chair SGDE Review Committee Faculty of Health Sciences University of Adelaide Australia
2016 - ongoing Member SGDE: Developing Teacher capacity and Development in SGDE University of Adelaide Australia
2016 - ongoing Member Communities of Practice: Learning Analytics University of Adelaide Australia
2015 - 2015 Member University Open Day Committee University of Adelaide Australia
2014 - ongoing Member Communities of Practice: Flipped Classroom University of Adelaide Australia
2014 - ongoing Member Translational Science Taskforce University of Adelaide Australia

Date Role Membership Country
2011 - ongoing Advisory Board Member Australia and New Zealand Microcirculation Society Australia

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