Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Zimmermann

Area of Research

Description of Research Interest

The focus of our research group aims to understand the role of epigenetics and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) in vascular disease. There are two main emphases, the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and advanced carotid artery atherosclerosis (CAA). In order to better comprehend those vascular disorders leading either to rupture and in more than 80% to death (AAA), or to ischaemic stroke and frequently to death or disability (CAA), we use human biomaterials obtained directly from the affected patients and collected in our Swiss Vascular Biobank, which we have recently established. Furthermore, in collaboration with Munich Vascular Biobank, which include already several thousand vascular tissue specimens, we can study epigenetic changes and alternation in the expression of various ncRNAs involved in disease formation, development and progression in the affected patients. For these purposes, we are using in addition to the conventional methods (histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, qPCR, western blotting, ELISA) also the state-of-art technologies like transcriptomics, proteomics and single cell sequencing.

Special Expertise

Diagnosis and therapy of aortic aneuysm and advanced carotid artery stenosis
Organising and leading of clinical studies
Atheroslerotic plaque morphology
Biobanking
Epigenetics, DNA-methylation

Shareable Platforms, Services, Equipment & Infrastructure

Swiss Vascular Biobank (collection of tissue specimens from patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis, aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease)