Smooth muscle is a major constituent of the internal muscular organs of the body including blood and lymphatic vessels and the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. It contains similar contractile elements to skeletal and cardiac muscle but their organisation and mode of activation are quite different. Contractions of smooth muscle are either phasic (rapid single contractions which are usually concerned with fluid propulsion) or tonic (slow sustained contractions usually concerned with varying resistance to flow or control of sphincters).

The main aim of our research is to elucidate the ionic basis of excitation and the way in which calcium levels are controlled in smooth muscle cells. The results of these studies will help us understand the initiation and modulation of contraction in vascular (arteriolar and lymphatic) gastrointestinal and urinary tract smooth muscle.