Cardiovascular Research Cluster Bern

Regulation of the Cardiovascular System

Our research focuses on the regulation of the systemic and pulmonary circulation in experimental animal models and humans with particular emphasis on the role of fetal programming, epigenetic mechanisms and hypoxia in this setting. Moreover, we are interested in the potential consequences of systemic vascular dysfunction/fetal programming on the regulation of glucose homeostasis.

Research area: Vascular function

Clinical Research
Animal Models
Vascular Biology

Current methods used in humans:

FMD- flow mediated dilation
PWV- pulse wave velocity
IMT- intima media thickness
Echocardiography
Pulmonary pressure at rest and during hypoxia and exercise
Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp studies

Dilation setup — Fig. 1: Flow mediated dilation setup

Current Methods used in mice:

Invasive measurement of arterial blood pressure in conscious freely moving mice
Assessment of endothelial function (in vitro)
Invasive measurement of pulmonary artery pressure
Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp studies
Measurement of skeletal muscle blood flow during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp studies
Measurement of glucose utilization in isolated skeletal muscle
In vitro fertilization

Fig. 2: Setup for the study of mesenteric artery endothelial function in vitro in mice

For detailed contact information, please refer to the group page, under Group Rimoldi: Link and Group Rexhaj.