Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research

Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease

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

Key aims of the cardiovascular research:

Improve detection and therapeutic stabilization of vulnerable plaques.
Discover the potential of angiogenesis as diagnostic and therapeutic target 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, T2DM and cardiovascular diseases.
Identify new mechanisms leading to the development of T2DM by studying insulin secretion and imaging of pancreatic beta-cell mass.

The synergy of the CoE arises from the utilization of shared methodology (genetics, molecular imaging, animal models and vectors) and complementary expertise in studies of the etiology, pathophysiology and clinical consequences of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. The ultimate aim is to develop and test novel diagnostic tools and therapies for these disorders.

Director
Juhani Knuuti
MD. PhD

Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital

Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8
FI-20521 Turku
Finland

Email: juhani.knuuti@tyks.fi

Vice Director
Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
MD, PhD

Other members
Principal Investigator
Pirjo Nuutila

Principal Investigator
Markku Laakso

Coordinator
Kari Kalliokoski