With more than 30 percent, cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks were the most common cause of death in Germany in 2021.¹ Deposits in the inner walls of the arteries are usually responsible for myocardial infarctions, which can lead to narrowings in the blood vessels, and to impaired blood flow in the heart muscle, and even to occlusion of the coronary arteries. In order to advance the diagnosis of coronary diseases and thus reduce the risk of heart attacks, the European network LogicLab is working with sophisticated sensors at a turning point.

To this end, scientists from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network LogicLab (Molecular logic lab-on-a-vesicle for intracellular diagnostics) have been researching innovative molecular logic sensors for early detection since 2018. “These molecules have the special property of responding to stimulation, for example of a chemical nature, to other molecules or light, with a targeted interaction behavior. They could, for example, provide information about certain disease parameters by excitation with light. By functionalizing these molecules, we can furnish them with tailored properties that can provide answers in the context of diagnostic clarification,” explains Prof. Dr. Benjamin ­Dietzek-Ivanšić, head of the Functional Interfaces Research Department at Leibniz IPHT and scientific coordinator of LogicLab.

The knowledge gained should help to diagnose endothelial dysfunction by identifying certain messenger substances. This disorder of the cell layer lining the blood vessels is one of the causes of arteriosclerosis. Its early diagnosis and immediate treatment can reduce the risk of dangerous narrowing of the blood vessels, which can lead to a heart attack.

First-class training ­program for young scientists

15 partner organizations from ­Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia contribute their expertise to the science network, coordinated by Leibniz IPHT. ­Together, they enable the 14 young researchers, who receive a unique training program as part of ­LogicLab, to lay the foundations for their scientific careers with guest stays, advanced scientific training, and opportunities for networking and professional exchange.

The five-year LogicLab project is funded by the European Union with more than 3.5 million Euros.

Good to know: When arteries calcify

Calcification of the arteries is also known as arteriosclerosis. ­Calcium, connective tissue and fat are deposit­ed in the inner walls of the blood vessels. These deposits, known as plaques, lead to a narrowing of the arteries, and thus to poorer blood circulation and insufficient supply of oxygen to the organs. If the heart is not supplied properly, the blood flow is disrupted or an occlusion develops, a heart attack may be impending. Endothelial ­dysfunction, a ­functional disorder of the endothelium, i. e. the vessel wall, can develop into arteriosclerosis.

Further information on LogicLab: www.logiclab-itn.eu

In the picture:
Using functionalized sensor molecules, researchers in the LogicLab science network are working to detect coronary disease at an early stage.     
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¹ Vgl. Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis): Causes of death statistics 2021: 7 % of all deaths directly due to Covid-19