Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research

Cardiovascular and Metabolic RESEARCH

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.
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, 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 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.

Prof. Juhani Knuuti
MD. PhD

Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Email: juhani.knuuti@tyks.fi

Prof. Pirjo Nuutila, MD, PhD

Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

email: pirnuu@utu.fi

Prof Antti Saraste, MD, PhD

Turku PET Centre and Heart Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

email: antsaras@utu.fi