Small Artery Remodelling (SMARTER)

Basic data for this project

Description

Cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Europe. Small arteries form a key element in the pathogenesis. Thus, these vessels dictate local perfusion and blood pressure by adaptation of their caliber. Structural changes towards smaller caliber, small artery remodelling, cause hypertension and decreased organ perfusion, leading to acute events and chronic end organ dysfunction. Despite this role, these vessels are poorly studied and therapeutic options based on these arteries are lacking. SmArteR (Small Artery Remodelling) collects 13 academic and SME partners who have set up a training programme for 12 ESRs and 3 ERs. We address the interaction between cells, extracellular matrix and mechanical loading in an integrative way, taking advantage of the multidisciplinary partnership. Thus, we will unravel the processes in small artery remodelling at the molecular, cellular and integrative physiology level, and we will develop novel and marketable technology aimed at studying these vessels in vitro under the right biomechanical conditions. The ESRs and ERs are trained in not only cardiovascular R&D, but also in a range of skills required to form the new generation of frontrunners in biomedical research in academia and industry.