Ischemic stroke is caused by the lack of oxygen supply to the brain caused by an occlusion of a  blood vessel. this can concern a large or small occlusion, also called acute ischemic (macro)- and micro-stroke, respectively. Micro-stroke, also known as “silent infarct”, can be associated with brain damage and cognitive decline, caused by poor reperfusion. These micro-infarcts are not treatable as diagnostic methods lack sensitivity and therapeutic agents are not established.

In my project, I study the mechanism of the extravasation of small occlusions, also known as angiophagy, out of the cerebral microvasculature. Our objectives are to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the extravasation of these small particles for the development of new therapeutic approaches for silent brain infarcts. We will accomplish this by using a range of techniques, including multiphoton in vivo imaging, immunohistochemistry, and in vitro cell cultures.

"live cell imaging", "2-photon microscopy", "confocal microscopy"