Diseases of the heart and circulatory system are the most common cause of mortality in the UK. Over 50 per cent of these deaths (140,000) are from coronary heart disease (CHD) and 25 per cent from stroke, with other causes including heart failure, cardiomyopathy and thromboembolic disorders. Cardiovascular disease also causes substantial morbidity. It is the mission of the Cardiovascular Division to pursue integrated laboratory-to-bedside research programmes that improve the understanding of human cardiovascular disease and its treatment.<br><br>One of our central principles is to adopt a multidisciplinary integrative approach using in vitro methods and in vivo models, with a strong focus on translational research and the clinical/basic science interface. The division integrates the main research-active cardiovascular groups within the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. In addition, we have strong collaborations and interactions with colleagues in other groupings such as the Randall Division (structural biology, imaging, biophysics) and the Division of Imaging Sciences. The Division has two major sites, namely the James Black Centre at the Denmark Hill Campus and the Rayne Institute at St Thomas' Hospital. We also have a section focusing on biophysics that is embedded within the multi-divisional environment of the Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics at Guy's Campus as well as a section at Waterloo Campus.