Biomarkers and genetics of non-invasive vascular function in cardiovascular disease -from biology to prevention

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Renate B. Schnabel
• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: from 2010 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 165938129

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (e.g. myocardial infarction, stroke) is the number one cause of death and disability in the world. We are only beginning to understand the pathophysiology and differential susceptibility for atherosclerosis in the community. Early stages of atherosclerosis are characterized by still reversible vascular dysfunction. The aim of this research is to detect the predisposition for the disease and early, reversible stages of disease to allow prevention and timely intervention. We will use an approach that combines genetics, biomarkers and non-invasively measured vascular function in prospective cohort studies of initially healthy individuals (Gutenberg Heart Study) and patients with manifest cardiovascular disease. Morphologic and dynamic changes in large vessels and the microvasculature will be correlated with micro-array data of genome-wide polymorphisms and environmental information from extensive questionnaires. The integration of newly detected and classical risk factor data and the association with incidence of disease may improve current risk scores to enhance pre-emptive, personalized cardiovascular medicine and to identify targets for prevention. International collaborations with independent studies will be used to replicate findings in large-scale cohorts.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups