Contact details

Dr Sara M Rankin

Reader in Leukocyte and Stem Cell Biology
National Heart and Lung Institute

Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 3172
Email:

Dr Sara M Rankin

• Sara Rankin obtained her PhD in 1989 in Pharmacology from Kings College, London, investigating monocyte-driven oxidation of lipoproteins and identifying the potent inhibitory effects of plant-derived flavonoids on this process. Dr Rankin then continued her studies in the Department of Medicine, UCSD, identifying 13-HODE as a key product of lipoprotein oxidation. Further postdoctoral research in the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (now Cancer Research UK) elucidated signalling pathways linking growth factor receptors to focal adhesions.

Dr Rankin joined the Leukocyte Biology Section of the NHLI in 1995 with a Wellcome Trust Career Development Award. She subsequently obtained a Wellcome Trust University award and is now a Reader in Leukocyte and Stem Cell Biology. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of the bone marrow in inflammatory diseases and elucidating the molecular mechanisms regulating the exit of leukocytes and stem cells from the bone marrow.

Current research areas include:
Neutrophil clearance by the bone marrow.
The role of neutrophils in influenza infections.
Molecular mechanisms regulating the mobilisation of haematopoietic, endothelial and stromal progenitor cells.
Trafficking of mesenchymal stem cells in vivo.
The role of endothelial progenitor cells in angiogenesis in models of allergic airways inflammation.

Dr Rankin currently holds grants from the Wellcome Trust, The European Commission, the British Heart Foundation, the Medical Research Council and Industrial collaborators.

Dr Rankin was awarded her Certificate in Advanced Studies in Learning and Teaching in 2001. She in a postgraduate tutor and Deputy Head of Postgraduate studies for the NHLI and is involved in both INSPIRE and Creative Futures, outreach activities. Dr Rankin is on the Education Committee for the British Pharmacological Society and is an Editor of the British Journal of Pharmacology.