Professor Paolo Tammaro
University of Oxford, UK
Professor Maria Teresa Perez Garcia
University of Valladolid, Spain
Dr Rumaitha Al-Hosni
University of Oxford, UK
Ion Channels in Organ Microcirculatory Control: Emerging Ideas and Pathological Relevance
Key Information for Delegate Arrival
Ion channels are found in all types of cells forming the wall of blood vessels and play key roles in the control of vascular function in health and disease. Furthermore, ion channels are existing and potential new therapeutic targets for a range of vascular disorders.
This meeting offers a unique opportunity to delve into the cutting-edge science of vascular ion channels, spanning from their intricate molecular mechanisms to their influence on the complex physiological functions of the cardiovascular system. Key highlights of the event include (i) an exploration of the molecular physiology of ion channels, revealing how regulation at the single-channel level translates into the dynamic control of blood vessel function; (ii) innovative in silico computational studies that illuminate the impact of ion channels on microvascular blood flow; and (iii) a focus on the medical relevance of vascular ion channels, featuring inspiring examples of how academic discoveries are driving innovation and the development of new therapies.
Join us to discover the latest breakthroughs and future directions in this rapidly evolving field!
Be part of the Physiological Society’s legacy
In 2026, the Society celebrates its 150th anniversary: a landmark moment to celebrate physiologists past and present, the discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the body, and the community driving physiology forward.
This meeting is one of the many exciting activities in our biggest programme of events to date celebrating this important milestone.
All abstracts presented throughout the year will be published in a special 150th Anniversary Abstract Booklet, which will become part of our historical archive capturing a snapshot of physiological research in 2026.
This meeting is supported by Sophion Bioscience and Nanion Technologies GmbH.
10:15 SA01 The role of vasodilatory nanodomains in health and dementia
Dr Harry Pritchard, University of Manchester, UK
10:45 SA02 Ion channel signaling in brain capillary endothelial cells and pericytes
Dr Maria Sancho, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
11:15 C01 Regulation of arterial response by sodium-myo-inositol transporter1 / Kv7 channel complexes.
Professor Iain Greenwood, City St George's, University of London, UK
11:30 C02 The vascular smooth muscle Ca2+ spark - BKCa channel axis is altered in maternal microvascular arteries in women with preeclampsia
Luisa Parnell, University of Manchester, UK
11:45 C03 Kv1.3 potassium channel in uremia-induced vascular dysfunction: Role in early remodeling and stiffness
Lucía Benito, Universidad de Valladolid, Spain
13:00 SA03 Endothelial PIEZO mechanosensors in health and disease
Professor David Beech, University of Leeds, UK
13:30 Revisiting kv-channels in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction: Emerging questions and future perspectives
Dr Fenja Knöpp, Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI) Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
14:00 SA04 Mechanosensitive ion channels as mediators of vascular function
Professor Kristina Kusche-Vihrog, University of Lubeck, Germany
15:00 C04 Disrupted ion channel gene expression in heart failure endothelial cells revealed by meta-analysis of single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data
Kirk Franks, University of Strathclyde, UK
15:15 C05 Loss of TMEM16A function as a potential mechanism underlying moyamoya disease: Biophysical analysis of a novel disease-associated variant
Rachel Kaye, University of Oxford, UK
15:30 SA05 Role of ANO1 in propagating spontaneous activity of capillary pericytes
Professor Hikaru Hashitani, Nagoya City University, Japan
16:00 Role of cardiac pericytes in regulation of coronary blood flow
Dr Svetlana Mastitskaya, University of Bristol, UK
09:00 Mechanisms of lymphatic endothelial specialization
Professor Tatiana Petrova, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
09:30 SA06 Mitochondrial acute oxygen sensing and signaling to membrane calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle cells
Dr Alejandro Moreno-Domínguez, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
10:00 SA07 Bicarbonate transport and sensing in the regulation of tissue perfusion and ischemia susceptibility
Professor Ebbe Bødtkjer, Aarhus University, Denmark
11:00 C06 Oxidative phosphorylation is the primary source of endothelial ATP and undergoes progressive decline in hypertension and heart failure
Dr Calum Wilson, University of Strathclyde, UK
11:15 C07 TMEM16A inhibition impairs mitochondrial function in vascular endothelial cells
Ross Stevenson, University of Strathclyde, UK
11:30 C08 ORAI1-mediated ca²⁺ signaling promotes post-infarction angiogenesis through VEGF and notch pathways
Professor Tarik Smani, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Spain
11:45 C09 Visualisation of vasodilatory nanodomain structure in vascular smooth muscle cells
Thea Danby, University of Manchester, UK
12:00 C10 KV1.3 – extracellular matrix interactions as an early switch for vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation
José Ramón López López, Universidad de Valladolid, Spain
13:15 SA08 Developing strategies to protect the coronary microcirculation - focus on DAPTs and IL-36
Professor Neena Kalia, University of Birmingham, UK
13:45 SA09 The role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 channels in the development of dementia
Professor Anne M Dorrance, Michigan State University, US
14:45 SA10 Smooth operators - microcirculatory control at the molecular, micro and macro scales and all at high throughput: Where will the marriage of automated patch clamp and organ-on-a-chip take translatable science?
Dr Damian Bell, Sophion Bioscience
Registration
Registration is now closed.
To celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2026, we have introduced a new, more inclusive membership model, including the launch of a new free category, Associate Member, to welcome qualified individuals and strengthen the future of the Society. This is alongside reduced global membership fees to make joining and staying involved more accessible for all.
| Membership category | Early registration rate until 16 July 2026 | Standard registration rate until 06 August 2026 |
| Undergraduate & Master’s member | £50.00 | £100.00 |
| Postgraduate member | £50.00 | £100.00 |
| Full member (concessionary) * | £50.00 | £100.00 |
| Full member | £100.00 | £150.00 |
| Fellow member | £100.00 | £150.00 |
| Honorary Fellow | £100.00 | £150.00 |
| Retired member | £50.00 | £100.00 |
| Associate member | £150.00 | £200.00 |
| Non-member | £200.00 | £250.00 |
| ECR Non-member * | £100.00 | £150.00 |
*please email events@physoc.org for the discount code
Please note, Full Member (concessionary) refers to those who have Full Membership at the reduced rate.
Before registering, please read our event terms and conditions.
Member registration
In order to register as a member, you first need to log in with username and password. The system will default to the correct fee for your membership category.
Should you have any queries, please email events@physoc.org
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- Free online access to The Society’s three world-class journals
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To find out more about membership with The Society, please click here or email membership@physoc.org
Applying for a visa
Do you need a visa to be able to participate in the meeting?
To check whether you need a visa to be able to attend, please click here
For more detailed information, application forms and guidance notes, please visit the official UK visa website.
It is recommended that you apply for your visa well in advance (at least 12 weeks before the meeting) as applications for UK visas in certain countries can take longer than expected. Attendees are requested that they book early enough and apply for a visa with sufficient time prior to the conference.
The conference organisers cannot be held responsible if delegates do not receive their visas in time, and the cancellation policy will automatically apply. Every effort will be made to support genuine applications. The conference organisers are happy to provide you with documentation to support your application which will be sent as a PDF attachment. If you require a hard copy to be sent to you, please include your mailing (postal) address. The Physiological Society will only send via regular post.
Documentation to support visa applications will only be provided to those attendees who have registered to attend.
Please complete the webform below, and attach confirmation of your registration, and submitted abstract (if appropriate).
Supporting documentation will be distributed within 10 working days – it is the responsibility of the attendee to allow sufficient time for processing.
Please note that The Society are not involved with and cannot influence consular decisions.
Abstracts
Abstract submission is now closed. All submitters have been notified with regards to abstract acceptance and also presentation type. If you have not received an email please contact events@physoc.org
Please view our presentation guidelines in preparation for the meeting and make sure to register for the conference to join the discussions, network with peers, and expand your knowledge with the latest advancements in the field.
Key Information
Key dates
| Registration opens | 06 March 2026 |
| Abstract submission opens | 08 April 2026 |
| Abstract submission closes | 08 June 2026 |
| Early review deadline | 22 April 2026 |
| Early bird registration deadline | 16 July 2026 |
| Conference Attendance Award deadline | 30 June 2026 |
| Registration deadline | 06 August 2026 |
| Meeting dates | 27 – 28 August 2026 |
Venue
The meeting will take place at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, UK.
Department of Pharmacology
University of Oxford
Mansfield Road
Oxford
OX1 3QT
Travel
By train
The closest train station to the Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford is Oxford Station.
By bus
Oxford is well connected to national bus routes.
By plane
The closest airports to Oxford are London Luton Airport and London Heathrow Airport. The airport has good train and bus links to Oxford.
Accommodation
We do not have a specific conference hotel so attendees are able to choose accommodation which meets their needs and budgets. The following hotels are within walking distance of the venue:
University of Oxford college accommodation
Oxford University Club, Mansfield Road – 2 minute walk
Rewley House, Wellington Square – 15 minute walk
Other University of Oxford college accommodation options available can be searched for here.
Hotel accommodation
Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel, High Street – 13 minute walk
Premier Inn , Oxford City Centre (Westagte) Hotel, Greyfriars Court, Paradise Square – 20 minute walk
Other accommodation options can be found here.
Support to Attend
The grants below support attendance at our events.
Grants for Carers
We care because you do. We are aware that many of our members have caring responsibilities or need care. We have funds allocated to help you with care costs to facilitate your attendance at meetings.
Conference Attendance Award
Up to £375 for the support of member engagement at our own meetings. The deadline for this meeting is 30 September 2026.
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Partner Packages
Opportunities range from a standard tabletop exhibition space, to more comprehensive sponsorship packages, including advertising, session sponsorship and speaking slots at the meeting.
To discuss your requirements in more detail and build a package that suits you, contact us today at events@physoc.org.