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The
Cardiovascular Research Group at the Department of Human and Clinical
Genetics is headed by Prof.dr. Rune R.
Frants and is a joint venture with the group of Prof.
L.M. Havekes at TNO-PG.
We focus on cardiovascular disease especially in the context of the
so-called
metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is characterized by
obesity, glucose dysregulation, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and an
increased likelihood to develop type 2 diabetes and premature
cardiovascular disease. We are part of the
Center for Medical Systems Biology
and thus have access to state of the art genomics facilities and data
analysis and integration technology.
A number of separate but closely interconnected lines of research are
being pursued. These
are aimed at identifying genetic defects leading to hyperlipidemia,
diabetes and cardiovascular
disease in patients and subsequently using this information to
generate and study mouse models. The main focus is on mouse models,
since, in contrast to human, environmental conditions such as diet and
life style can easily be controlled.
The mouse models are used in a
dual fashion: 1) to identify novel susceptibility genes using genetics
and genomics technology and 2) to
study the effect of additional genes and the environment on the
development and potential prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Three research lines are being
pursued:
Research
lines
Genetics of HUMAN cardiovascular
diseasE
Principle
Investigator: Prof.dr. Rune Frants
This
line of research is aimed at identifying the exact genetic defect(s)
in patients with familial predisposition to cardiovascular disease. A
multitude of advanced molecular genetic tools are being applied,
including automated genetic marker analysis and gene expression profiling
of tissues using micro-array technology (LGTC).
CANDIDATE
GENE ANALYSIS IN MOUSE MODELS
Principle
Investigator: Dr. Ko Willems van Dijk
This
line of research is aimed at investigating the role and therapeutic
potential of specific candidate genes in the development of
cardiovascular disease. To this end, transgenic and knock-out mouse
models are generated and analyzed in depth. Temporary gene expression
is achieved using adenovirus mediated gene transfer. Both low scale molecular, biochemical
and physiological techniques are applied as well as genomics
technology in a Systems Biology approach.
Novel gene
discovery using mouse mODELS
Principle
Investigator: Dr. Corina Moen
This line of research is aimed at identifying novel genes that are
involved in the development of cardiovascular disease, using available
mouse models. One line of research is aimed at identifying genetic
susceptibility loci in mice using advanced genetic mapping tools. A
parale line of research in these same mice is aimed at identifying key
genes using microarray technology (LGTC).
Last update:
04-02-2005
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