About the Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology laboratory
The Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology laboratory pursues a broad range of projects that have the common focus on improving diagnosis and therapy of thrombotic and inflammatory diseases such as myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis. A range of biotechnological methods are used, including recombinant protein design/production, generation of functionalised nanoparticles/lipsomes/microbubbles, cell culture, flow cytometry, flow chamber, microfluidics, intravital microscopy, ultrasound, MRI, PET various fluorescence imaging systems and various animal models of thrombosis, atherosclerosis and inflammation. Most recently we have extended our research based on the successful application of our biotechnological tools for the targeting of activated platelets towards diagnosis and therapy of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, and cancer. All of these projects have a strong translational orientation, which is facilitated by several laboratory members (physicians/cardiologists/haematologists) treating patients with cardiovascular and haematological diseases as well as cancer. Several of the research projects resulted in patents that are currently being further translated to ultimately improve the health of patients.
Work in the laboratory is particularly attractive for students and postdoctoral researchers who are interested in the development of advanced biotechnological tools for molecular imaging and novel therapeutics (e.g. nanoparticles and anti-inflammatory drugs for plaque stabilisation). The translational direction of the laboratory and the inclusion of patients in studies is highly attractive for physician scientists.
Research focus
- Molecular imaging of thrombosis and inflammation using MRI, PET, ultrasound, FLECT, IVIS.
- Novel recombinant therapeutics for thrombotic and inflammatory diseases.
- Microfluidic flow chambers.
- Intravital microscopy.
- Flow cytometry.
- Animal models of thrombosis and inflammation.
- Production of recombinant proteins for diagnosis and therapy.
- Diagnosis and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction.