Identification of the gene network of foam cell formation using small interference RNA (siRNA).
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Karolinska institutet - Institutionen för medicin, Solna |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 490 000 |
| Project duration | December 2007 - December 2012 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
To develop a human cell culture model system in which the cholesterol responsive candidate genes are perturbed and the effect of this perturbation in relation to changes in the gene expression profile and cholesterol accumulation is studied. This information is utilized to construct models for the gene network responsible for the development of atherosclerosis using a system biological approach.
Expected long term effects
The identification of the gene networks responsible for complex diseases will provide markers that will facilitate early diagnosis of diseases as well as improving the design of therapeutic substances for personalized medicine.
Approach and implementation
I will combine my molecular biological knowledge in areas such as gene perturbation, with mathematical modeling and simulations developed in the Computational Medicine group at the Karolinska University Hospital and the high-throughput methods developed at the RIKEN Genome Center, to design experiments that will make maximal use of the clinical data with the aim of getting a better understanding of the molecular processes leading to atherosclerosis.