RFA 2a: Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases

This research focus investigates cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and their interconnection. Using a broad approach ranging from molecular and cellular analyses, in vitro and in vivo model systems to translational methods and studying patient cohorts we aim to better understand pathologic conditions of the vasculature (e.g., atherosclerosis and aneurysm), the heart (e.g. myocardial infarction, heart failure or valve degeneration), the kidney, and metabolically relevant organ systems. In particular, we are interested, how metabolic dysregulation (e.g., obesity and diabetes) can affect cardiovascular disease and vice versa. We use highly-developed model systems such as 2D/3D cell cultures but also in vivo systems that resemble critical parameters of human cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Finally, to investigate biological samples from model systems and patient cohorts, we use highly developed imaging technology (e.g., MRI) and high-parametric OMICS methods (e.g., proteomics, scRNA-seq, NGS, metabolomics spatial technologies), many of which are established in collaboration with the BMFZ.