About Vascular medicine
We perform translational research in patients with atherosclerosis or risk factors, and in experimental preclinical models. We aim to elucidate how the innate immune system contributes to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis.
Research programs
Programs that are connected to this research group.
Achievements
We investigate the role of inflammation and the innate immune system in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. We mainly focus on atherosclerosis and its risk factors (obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension), but we also have research projects on aortic valve stenosis, and (cerebral) small vessel disease. Our research is characterized by a translational approach, using blood or isolated primary immune cells from patient cohorts with well characterized cardiovascular diseases or risk factors.
In the past ten years our main achievements have been:
- the finding that innate immune memory (i.e. trained immunity) contributes to atherogenesis, providing potential new pharmacological targets.
- insight into (inflammatory) mechanisms that determine the metabolic and cardiovascular complications of obesity.
Our members
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Jessica Dos Santos postdoc
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Ilse Hol researchanalist
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Laura Schwering PhD candidate arts promovendus Interne geneeskunde
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Dineke Touw PhD candidate Interne Geneeskunde