Max Rady College of Medicine

Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology

Physiology is the study of the body, beginning at the level of cells, tissues, organ systems and expanding to the whole organism. Through physiology, we aim to understand the fundamental mechanisms that operate in a living organism and how they interact. Pathophysiology is its natural counterpart, the study of how disease affects the body’s systems, causing functional changes that can lead to health consequences.

Anatomical drawing of the human body.

What we offer

Our department offers PhD and MSc graduate degrees in physiology and pathophysiology.

Department research

Research includes cardiovascular science and disease, endocrinology and metabolic disease, neurosciences and spinal cord injury, and respiratory physiology and disease.

Our researchers

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Current faculty research

The Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology is carrying out leading-edge research across a broad range of disciplines.

Heart surgery close-up.

Cardiovascular Science and Disease

Our major research goals in cardiovascular science and disease are to understand the mechanisms—biophysical and biochemical—of the pathophysiology of different cardiovascular diseases as well as therapies. This includes trying to reduce the injury from heart attacks or heart-damaging drugs, improving heart remodelling after injury and increasing available hearts for transplantation.
Cell mitosis close-up.

Cell Physiology & Pathophysiology

Exploring the study of cancer and gene expression. Multiple researchers from other divisions in the department pursue projects in Cell Physiology & Pathophysiology.
Patient has her blood pressure checked.

Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases

This research reflects our expertise in genetic regulation of endocrine and neural tissues including pituitary and placenta, endocrine-related cancers and heart failure. There is a current emphasis on regulation of the metabolism and understanding the pathophysiology associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Woman in a wheelchair pets her cat.

Neuroscience and Spinal Cord Injury

Studies in neuroscience and spinal cord injury are centred around understanding the mechanisms—biophysical and biochemical—underlying the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury. This includes investigations into spinal cord physiology, gap junctions and gap junction proteins, axonal growth and regeneration and autonomic control.
Little girl uses an asthma inhaler.

Respiratory Physiology and Disease

Research into respiratory physiology and disease is interested in the mechanisms—biophysical and biochemical—of muscle contraction in pathophysiological states such as asthma, essential hypertension and anaphylactic shock.
Heart surgery close-up.
Cell mitosis close-up.
Patient has her blood pressure checked.
Woman in a wheelchair pets her cat.
Little girl uses an asthma inhaler.
Student working with a test-tube.

Undergraduate Research Awards

Each year, the University of Manitoba provides a multitude of unique learning opportunities through the undergraduate research awards. This program allows undergraduate students to interact with the best minds and research leaders in their fields. This experience opens them up to new possibilities for a research career in either government, academic or industry sectors.

Department events

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Faculty and staff

Contact us

Physiology and Pathophysiology
432 Basic Medical Sciences Building
745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada

physiology@umanitoba.ca
204-789-3696
204-789-3934