The Hamburg laboratory is engaged in a program of translational clinical research that focuses on the vascular endothelium in human subjects. We examine mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, Covid-19, and associated risk factors of smoking and vaping. Endothelial function is measured in the arm by ultrasound, venous occlusion plethysmography, and tonometry. Blood serum/plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells are collected from subjects and are processed to measure levels of relevant markers using commercially available ELISA kits, fluorescence techniques, or additional assays with collaborating academic laboratories. Human endothelial cells are obtained by biopsy, isolated, and studied using immunofluorescence, fluorescence/confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and transcriptomics. The goal is to identify markers, cellular pathways, and transcript profiles involved in vascular dysfunction that may elucidate disease processes and have the potential for therapeutic targeting.
