Our main objectives in this research line are to investigate the molecular mechanisms, genetic and environmental factors, pathogenesis and new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular disease, obesity and T2DM.

We are especially interested in cardiovascular physiology and cellular metabolism at the whole body level and the interaction between different organs in normal physiology and in the pathogenesis of diseases.

Key aims of the cardiovascular research:

• Improve detection and therapeutic stabilization of vulnerable plaques.
• Improve detection and therapeutic options to prevent myocardial remodelling.
• Diagnostic and therapeutic targets for cardiac diseases (ischemia, vulnerable plaques, myocardial remodeling).
• Improve the monitoring of interventions and new therapies for cardiac diseases by using specific molecular imaging probes.

Key aims of the metabolic research:

• Discover new mechanisms and new genes for tissue-level insulin resistance in obesity and T2DM.
• Identify new mechanisms leading to the development of T2DM by studying insulin secretion and imaging of pancreatic beta-cell mass.
• To study the role of brown fat activation and its thermogenesis in human metabolism.
• To study effects of physical activity/inactivity on tissue specific and whole body metabolism.