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Cardiovascular Calcification: An integrative approach combining materials science and biochemistry
In this project you will synergistically combine advanced materials characterization techniques and biochemical analysis to achieve a fresh view on the underlying pathophysiological process in cardiovascular calcification.
Calcification of the circulatory system is involved in a multitude of diseases that, taken together, contribute to over 15 million deaths per year. Calcific lesions are thought to originate from cardiovascular cells (such as vascular smooth muscle cells) that transdifferentiate into osteoblast-like cells, and subsequently produce bone. However, only limited analyses have been carried out to characterize this material and very little is known about the processes that mediate its formation. A recent study published on Nature Materials by Bertazzo et al. has shown that calcific lesions are not entirely composed of bone, but rather are mainly composed of a mixture of micro-sized highly crystalline hydroxyapatite particles.
In this project, you will investigate the role of calcium phosphate particles in cardiovascular calcification using a well-designed set of calcium phosphate particles, a diverse toolbox of materials science characterization techniques and a cell culture system to better understand this highly complex pathophysiological process. The synergistic combination of advanced materials characterization and biochemical analysis provides a fresh view and holds significant promise to enable new insights into this hugely complex pathophysiological process.
The project will be carried out in close collaboration between my group (Particles 3D, Empa) and Dr Sergio Bertazzo, a world-leading expert in biomineralization and electron microscopy (Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, UK). You will have the opportunity to acquire a broad skill set of experimental techniques, including cell culture, microscopy and advanced materials characterization techniques.
Calcification of the circulatory system is involved in a multitude of diseases that, taken together, contribute to over 15 million deaths per year. Calcific lesions are thought to originate from cardiovascular cells (such as vascular smooth muscle cells) that transdifferentiate into osteoblast-like cells, and subsequently produce bone. However, only limited analyses have been carried out to characterize this material and very little is known about the processes that mediate its formation. A recent study published on Nature Materials by Bertazzo et al. has shown that calcific lesions are not entirely composed of bone, but rather are mainly composed of a mixture of micro-sized highly crystalline hydroxyapatite particles.
In this project, you will investigate the role of calcium phosphate particles in cardiovascular calcification using a well-designed set of calcium phosphate particles, a diverse toolbox of materials science characterization techniques and a cell culture system to better understand this highly complex pathophysiological process. The synergistic combination of advanced materials characterization and biochemical analysis provides a fresh view and holds significant promise to enable new insights into this hugely complex pathophysiological process.
The project will be carried out in close collaboration between my group (Particles 3D, Empa) and Dr Sergio Bertazzo, a world-leading expert in biomineralization and electron microscopy (Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, UK). You will have the opportunity to acquire a broad skill set of experimental techniques, including cell culture, microscopy and advanced materials characterization techniques.
To obtain new insights into the complex pathophysiological mechanism of cardiovascular calcification by applying a synergistic combination of advanced material characterization techniques and biochemical analysis.
To obtain new insights into the complex pathophysiological mechanism of cardiovascular calcification by applying a synergistic combination of advanced material characterization techniques and biochemical analysis.
Dr. Inge Herrmann, Group Leader Particles 3D, Empa, inge.herrmann@empa.ch.
Dr. Inge Herrmann, Group Leader Particles 3D, Empa, inge.herrmann@empa.ch.