The Rexhaj experimental lab investigates the causes of fetal programming of adult cardiovascular disease, in particular arterial hypertension, the most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor affecting 1.8 billion of people worldwide. Our research aim is a better understanding of the contributive role of early life insults in the later development of arterial hypertension and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Therefore, we use a diversity of tool-kit including human and animal models of hypertension, advanced echocardiography study, and hemodynamics measurement, as well as various bio-molecular analysis.
One of our main research topic is the alteration of the cardiovascular health associated with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and strategies to prevent it. In landmark studies, we have highlighted the effect of ART on premature vascular ageing and arterial hypertension in human and mice. (Scherrer et al. 2012; Rexhaj et al. 2013; Meister et al. 2018; Bonetti et al. 2021, Meister et al. 2022).
We are currently further investigating long-term consequences of ART on the cardiovascular system and the underlying epigenetic mechanism in human and mice.
In parallel, we are also working in collaboration with the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) to develop new medical technologies for the continuous monitoring of blood pressure and cardiac rhythm using cuffless devices. (Proença et al. 2023, Jeanningros L 2024)
