The Centre's original purpose was to bring together scientists and physicians to research the causes and treatment of occlusion of the blood vessels. The majority of heart attack, stroke and lower limb gangrene is due to thrombosis in a segment of blood vessel narrowed by atherosclerosis. Despite major advances, these processes are still responsible for half of deaths in Australia and for premature morbidity. Atherosclerosis, vessel response to injury and thrombosis remain core research in the Centre.

Over time common mechanisms underlying biological processes has resulted in a number of our projects providing insights into other pathologies. In particular, some of the Centre's most successful projects have revolved around angiogenesis and, inevitably, new vessel formation in cancers. Antiangiogenic strategies to inhibit tumour growth and also inflammation are now a major focus for the Centre.