Cardiovascular Research Cluster Bern

Research groups

Ischemia / Reperfusion

Ischemia / Reperfusion

Our main research efforts lie on:

  • Ischemia / Reperfusion injury in the setting of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular surgery, organ and limb transplantation, as well as reconstructive surgery
  • The effect of endothelial cell protection on ischemia/reperfusion injury, early graft damage, and tolerance induction in transplantation
  • The role of the endothelial glycocalyx, in particular its heparan sulfate proteoglycans, in endothelial injury and -protection
  • Acute vascular rejection in ABO-incompatible and xenotransplantation
  • The anti-inflammatory, in particular complement-inhibitory properties of intravenous immunoglobulin and other plasma preparations
Model for DXS mediated EC protection
Fig 1: Model for DXS mediated EC protection: (A) Cellular stress leads to EC activation and release of HSPG from the cell surface. (B) 'Bare' ('Denudated') EC become a privileged target for mediators of innate immunity, such as complement and NK cells. (C) DXS can act as a "repair coat" and protect EC from damage.

Collaboration with the clinic of plastic and hand surgery

Since many years we have a strong collaboration with the Clinic of Plastic- and Hand Surgery. Currently, we are working together on a preclinical limb transplantation project with the aim to reduce the side effects of chronic immunosuspression in hand transplantation. Hand Transplantation Broschure (pdf, 537KB)

Another field of collaboration are projects on allo- and xenoperfusion of amputated porcine extremities, with the aim to prolong time to replantation or transplantation of an accidentally amputated limb and to better understand vascular rejection in xenotransplantation, respectively.

Link to Bern University Clinic for Plastic and Hand Surgery

 

Contact

Rieben Robert, Prof. Dr. phil. nat.,
Group leader, Head of EAC Steering Board

University of Bern
Department for BioMedical Research
Mu24 300
Murtenstrasse 24
3008 Bern
Email: robert.rieben@unibe.ch
Telefon +41 31 684 04 91

Rieben Lab on DBMR Homepage

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