Members of the CTVB

 

PD Dr. med. Markus Bosmann
Junior Research Group „Experimental Research“ – molecular interactions of inflammation and blood clotting
markus.bosmann@unimedizin-mainz.de
Center of Thrombosis and Hemostasis

Sepsis and acute lung injury (ARDS) are life-threatening diseases with approximately more than 150,000 cases per year in Germany. The disorders of the innate immune system, hemostasis and the vascular system play a key role regarding sepsis and ARDS. Particularly noticeable is the release of immunological messenger substances (eg C5a, IL-27), which may have effects on cellular and plasmatic hemostasis through complex mechanisms. Special attention of our research is on molecular interactions within the blood clotting system as well as the endothelium with the innate immune system. Our projects shall contribute to a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of sepsis and ARDS and to help pointing out new strategies of effective therapy.

 

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Andreas Daiber
Molecular Cardiology Laboratory
andreas.daiber@uni-mainz.de
Center of Cardiology

The research focuses of de Molecular Cardiology are in the area of the pre-clinical sector and mainly concentrate on the mechanisms, which lead to vascular damages. In our laboratory we use experimental models for high blood pressure, diabetes and sepsis to further examine the mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction through inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress.

The focus is on new medications like the anti-diabetic gliptins (DPP-4 inhibitors), glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1 analogs) or inhibitors of the sodium glucose transporters in the kidney (SGLT2 inhibitors), which have besides their anti-hyperglycemic characteristics as well anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects.

 

Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Christine Espinola-Klein
Department of Angiology
espinola@uni-mainz.de
Center of Cardiology

The Angiology research focus is on the examination of different aspects of the peripheral and polyvascular atherosclerosis.  This includes translational projects of pathophysiology and therapy of the peripheral arterial occlusive disease. In addition we examine early atherosclerosis of the carotid artery including epidemiological aspects, the peripheral arterial occlusive disease and the atherosclerosis or ectasia of the aorta abdominalis. We are also interested in the prognostic aspects of the Atheroskleroslast taking account of several vessel provinces. In clinical studies we examined the conservative therapy of patients with Claudicatio intermittens by means of gait training or medications. We are also engaged in care research with the prognosis after a deep vein thrombosis as well as the therapy of arterial occlusions by means of fibrinolytic treatment. With our projects, we cooperate with numerous working groups of the University Medical Center as well as with national and international cooperation partners.

Here you can find further details on our project: http://www.unimedizin-mainz.de/kardiologie-1/startseite/abteilung-fuer-angiologie.html

 

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Tommaso Gori
DZHK (German center for Cardiovascular Research)
Professorship for Myocardial and Vascular Interactions
Tommaso.Gori@unimedizin-mainz.de
Center of Cardiology

Over the past years, the work of our research group focuses on the following 3 areas: The first is the impact of intracoronary imaging methods like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) on our understanding of arteriosclerotic plaques and coronary stents. We successfully established a Core Lab to be used as a platform for single- and multicenter studies, dealing with the the question of the role of intracoronary imaging of diagnostics and therapy of coronary and peripheral artery vascular diseases. The second area covers outcome and pathophysiological research in the field of coronary bioresorbable scaffolds, which represent one of the most revolutionary innovations of the cardiology in the past few years. The third area concentrates on peripheral endothelial function three principal focuses: understanding of the regulation mechanisms of this organ, cohort studies, and clinical trials.

 

Prof. Dr. Dr. Franz Grus
Research group Experimental Ophthalmology
grus@eye-research.org
Eye Clinic and Polyclinic

The area experimental and translational ophthalmology of the eye clinic primarily conducts clinically oriented basic research and uses the latest analytical methods of the area Proteomics and Immunology to examine the pathomechanisms of various ocular diseases. In addition we identify and analyze new biomarkers for the early detection with diagnostics and therapeutic approaches of various diseases (AMD, glaucoma, dry eyes) in close collaboration with the study center of the eye clinic.

 

PD Dr. rer. nat. Kerstin Jurk
Research Group Translational Platelet Research
kerstin.jurk@unimedizin-mainz.de
Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis

The research group investigates the biology and function of platelets in hemostasis and in inflammation-driven thrombotic diseases. Here, the research focuses on mechanisms of redox-regulated platelet function, inhibitory signaling networks and interactions between platelets, leukocytes and the vascular compartment in inflammatory-thrombotic diseases.
Inherited and acquired platelet function disorders, which are associated with increased bleeding or thrombotic tendency, represent further research focus.

 

Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Stavros Konstantinides
Research Group “Clinical Studies”
Stavros.Konstantindes@unimedizin-mainz.de
Center of Thrombosis and Hemostasis

The research group plans and coordinates the multi-center clinical studies on the treatment of thrombotic diseases. The focus is on the optimization of the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with venous thromboembolism, mainly acute pulmonary embolism. In ongoing interventional trials and prospective cohort studies we are evaluating new strategies for risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Further studies deal with the ambulatory treatment – using new oral anticoagulants – of selected patients with acute pulmonary embolism as well as with the risk of development of a chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

 

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Huige Li
Research Group Vascular Pharmacology
huigeli@uni-mainz.de
Department of Pharmacology

The research focus of the group is on the role of lymphocytes in the regulation of the vascular function and hemostasis. Further research areas include epigenetic mechanisms and pharmacological prevention of pathological fetal programming as well as the role of perivascular adipose tissue in the regulation of vascular function.

 

Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Matthias Michal
Research Group Psychocardiology and Stressregulation
Matthias.Michal@unimedizin-mainz.de
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy

Psychosocial factors are of major importance for the development and course of cardiovascular disease.  The underlying mechanisms are unhealthy behavior and the impairment of the capacity for the regulation of stress and emotions. The research group has the following aims: 1) to investigate these factors in different populations, 2) to identify targets for potential psychosocial interventions and 3) to develop new interdisciplinary concepts of prevention and patient care. The focus on stress regulation and mental disorders is linked with the topic of experience based neural plasticity and represents the bridge to the Focus Program Translational Neurosciences of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

 

Dr. rer. biol. hum. Christoph Reinhardt
Junior Research Group Translational Research in Thrombosis and Hemostasis Christoph.Reinhardt@unimedizin-mainz.de
Center of Thrombosis and Hemostasis

 

The CTH-Junior Research Group examines the effect of the commensal microflora on the vascular system through aseptic mouse-technology. In particular microbiota dependent mechanisms, which regulate the coagulation system and the thrombus formation, are under examination. The Visualization of the experimental thrombus formation in the mouse-thrombosis-model takes place by in vivo two-photon imaging. Another main focus of the CTH-Junior Research Group is the microbially-regulated, ectopic synthesis of coagulation factors in the intestinal mucosa and the activation of coagulation factors dependent signalling mechanisms and innate immune receptors, which influence the remodeling of the small intestinal mucosa.

 

Prof. Wolfram Ruf
Alexander von Humboldt-Professorship, Thrombosis, Hemostasis and Inflammation
ruf@uni-mainz.de
Center of Thrombosis and Hemostasis

The field of activity of this professorship is the examination of signal transduction pathways in the coagulation system. The blood coagulation is of major importance for the hemostasis, the wound healing and the defense against pathogens after injuries. An excessive and inadequately controlled blood coagulation and is a subject to a variety of cardiovascular diseases. It is significantly involved in the development of heart attacks, apoplexy, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and sepsis. The enzymes of the coagulation cascade are not only involved in clot formation, they also influence physiological and pathological processes through an activation of cells in the blood and in tissue. Our translational oriented fundamental research deals with effects of these signal transduction pathways of the coagulation system on inflammatory processes, the immune system, angiogenesis, tumor development and the metabolic complications of obesity.

 

Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Katrin Schäfer
Laboratory of Translational Vaskular Biology
katrin.schaefer@unimedizin-mainz.de
Center of Cardiology, Cardiology I

Cardiovascular disease often develops as a result of atherosclerotic vascular lesions. Phenotypic and functional alterations of endothelial and smooth muscle cells play an important role during the initiation and progression of vascular lesions. The research group focuses on the pathomechanisms and molecular mediators, which underlie the increased cardiovascular risk, especially the one associated with obesity and age. Main research area are the importance of the perivascular adipose tissue for neointima formation and restenosis, the signal transduction of adipokines and other messenger substances of the periadventitial fat as well as the influence of thrombotic complications on vascular wound healing processes. Analyses are performed using human biomaterial, vascular cells, genetically modified mouse strains as well as models of cardiovascular disease (thrombosis, restenosis, atherosclerosis, ischemia).

 

PD Dr. med. Eberhard Schulz
Working Group Molecular Cardiology
eberhard.schulz@unimedizin-mainz.de
Center of Cardiology

The research focus of our working group is the role of metabolism-regulating enzyme systems (AMP-dependent protein kinase, PGC-1alpha) on vascular function. In several tissue specific knockout models, we investigate the effects of these enzyme systems on NO-signaling, oxidative stress, inflammation and cell aging (senescence).

 

Prof. Philip Wenzel, MD
Professorship “Vascular Inflammation”
wenzelp@uni-mainz.de
Center of Thrombosis and Hemostasis

Proinflammatory lysozyme M (LysM) positive CD11b+Gr-1+monocytes, vascular macrophages and CD11b+Gr-1+neutrophils are mediators of the angiotensin II (ATII) induced vascular dysfunction and essentially involved in the development of arterial hypertension. In the DFG project WE 4361/3-1, we pursue the research project “Inflammatory myelomonocytic cells in arterial hypertension”. We will make use of the technique of inducible ablation of LysM+cells and study the role of monocytes in venous thrombo­embolism in a mouse-model of the Vena Cava-ligation and the LAD-ligation. In relation to these themes, studies in vascular biology are continued, which are dedicated to the influence of coagulation factors of the contact phase system on vascular dysfunctions.