Urinary incontinence affects approximately 10% of the adult population. One cause of urinary incontinence is a decrease in the ability of the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder) to prevent involuntary flow. This deficiency is prevalent in men following surgery to treat enlargement of the prostate, and women who suffer from some forms of stress incontinence. Treatment usually involves corrective surgery.

Despite the important role played by the urethra in the maintenance of urinary continence, little is known about its function. This project aims to investigate mechanisms controlling the urethral muscle and how the urethra prevents the leak of urine from the bladder. This could lead to the design of specific drugs to treat this disorder and perhaps reduce the need for surgery.