Stichting Radboud universitair medisch centrum (RADBOUDUMC) is one of the largest academic teaching hospitals in the Netherlands. The diabetes research in the Department of Internal Medicine focuses on impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia and the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Both topics are more and more interrelated and strongly emphasize translational research. There are extensive collaborations with the departments of experimental radiology and nuclear medicine and with the laboratory of experimental internal medicine. The research is embedded in the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS).
Our group has a strong track record in translational research and is considered one of the leading groups on brain research with respect to impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia and studying effects of hypoglycaemia in humans on other tissue responses. Our laboratory on experimental internal medicine is embedded within the department of Internal Medicine and world leading in studying innate immunity, immunometabolism and role of epigenetic changes on trained immunity (head prof. Mihai Netea).
Our main tasks will be to study underlying mechanisms that explain the link between hypoglycaemia and cardiovascular disease and to explore potential biomarkers for severe hypoglycaemia. We will partake in discussing the outcomes of the statistical analysis of the constructed database and in engaging with stakeholders to agree on classification of hypoglycaemia. We will also provide overall leadership and coordination to the whole consortium.