Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases

As for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases the ITB’s focus is on advancing the understanding, prevention, and treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases through innovative multidisciplinary approaches. Current projects span from evaluating nutritional and physical activity programs to improve the cardiac functional performance and prevent overweight and obesity. Another innovative research line investigates the generation of patient-specific tissues for organ repair. Researchers investigate molecular mechanisms such as the role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4 in cardiac denervation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and explore genetic and epigenetic factors underlying phenotype variability in Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. The Institute also utilizes human 3D myocardium models to study epigenetic dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the heart and examines how the extracellular matrix regulates cardiac sympathetic innervation. These efforts aim to translate scientific discoveries into effective clinical solutions, fostering personalized therapies and improved outcomes for patients with metabolic and cardiovascular pathologies.