Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and aortic valve sclerosis
Major Projects
We have demonstrated enzymatically degraded LDL (eLDL) as an essential causative component for the initiation of atherosclerosis. Subsequently, we presented a startup of a hypothesis on the pathogenesis of aortic valve sclerosis declaring extracellular lipoprotein modification, subsequent complement activation and cellular uptake by VICs / myofibroblasts as integral players. Current research focuses on the investigation of the interaction between eLDL and vascular interstitial cells / myofibroblasts with special emphasis on pro- and/or anti-inflammatory cytokine patterns evoked by cellular uptake of eLDL. The aim is to evaluate possible strategies for the prevention of the well known proinflammatory effects of eLDL.
Major Networks and Collaborations
- Ulrich F. W. Franke, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Robert Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
- Matthias Schwab, Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and University of Tuebingen, Stuttgart, Germany
- Sotirios Tsimikas, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego
- Arnold von Eckardstein, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Selected References
Curriculum Vitae Michael Torzewski, MD
Affiliation
Chief Physician
Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Hygiene
Robert-Bosch-Hospital
Auerbachstr. 110
D-70376 Stuttgart
phone: ++49-711-8101 3500
fax: ++49-711-8101 3618
email: daniela.tscherner@rbk.de
Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Hygiene
Robert-Bosch-Hospital
Auerbachstr. 110
D-70376 Stuttgart
phone: ++49-711-8101 3500
fax: ++49-711-8101 3618
email: daniela.tscherner@rbk.de
Education and Professional Career
Oct.1986-Oct.1992 | medicine studies, University of Mainz |
Oct. 1992 | “3. Staatsexamen” (medical examination) |
Nov. 10th, 1992 | doctorate (Department of Pharmacology, University of Mainz) |
Dec.1992-Nov.1993 | resident at the Department of Neurosurgery of the Sankt Gertrauden Hospital Berlin-Wilmersdorf (head: Prof. Dr. B. Bingas) |
Dec.1993-June 1994 | medical assistent, Institute of Anatomy and Special Embryology, University Fribourg/Switzerland (head: Prof. Dr. Dr. G. Rager) |
June 1st, 1994 | “Approbation” (licence to practice medicine) |
July 1994-Dec.1998 | assistent doctor, Institute of Pathology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf (head: Prof. Dr. H. E. Gabbert) |
Jan. 1999-March 2002 | assistant doctor, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg (head: Prof. Dr. G. Schmitz) |
Sep. 2001-Feb. 2002 | postdoc, Specialized Center of Research on Atherosclerosis (SCOR) (head: Joseph L. Witztum, Professor of Medicine), Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD) |
since April 2002 | assistant doctor, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (head: Prof. Dr. K. J. Lackner) |
Oct. 2002-Sep. 2003 | further education in medical microbiology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (head: Prof. Dr. S. Bhakdi) |
Oct. 2003-March 2004 | further education in internal medicine, Department of Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (head: Prof. Dr. Ch. Huber) |
April 28th, 2004 | recognition as specialist in Laboratory Medicine |
June 3rd, 2004 | “Habilitation” (postdoctoral lecture qualification) in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine |
since Sep. 16th, 2004 | “Oberarzt” (senior physician) at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (head: Prof. Dr. K. J. Lackner) |
April 20th, 2006 | recognition as Clinical Chemist |
May 21th, 2008 | recognition as specialist in Neuropathology |
since Oct. 2006 | postgraduate distance learning programme (Master´s degree programme) in Health and Social Service Management, Technical University of Kaiserslautern (Distance and International Studies Center) |
Aug. 2009-March 2011 | director, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology (IKCH), Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology (IKMI), St. Gallen, Switzerland |
Since April1st 2011 | head of Department of Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Hygiene, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart |
June 21th, 2011 | extraordinary professorship at the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz |
March 19th, 2012 | recognition as specialist in Medical Microbiology |
Scholarships and Scientific Awards
1989-1992 | studentship of the Cusanuswerk, scholarhip organization sponsoring talented students |
1999 | recipient of the poster award of the German United Society of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) |
2000 | „Heinz Meise-Preis“ awarded by the Deutschen Herzstiftung: Torzewski M et al.: Deposition of C-reactive protein in the arterial intima: Role of C-reactive protein receptor-dependent recruitment of monocytes in atherogenesis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2000;20: 2094-2099 |
2005 | recipient of the „W. H. Hauss-Preis“ awarded by the German section of the International Atherosclerosis Society (DGAF) |
2005 | recipient of the „Robert-Müller-Forschungspreis“ awarded by the medical faculty of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz |
Professional Memberships
- German Society for Atherosclerosis Research e. V. (DGAF, president elect)
- German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine e. V. (DGLM)
Scientific Journal Editorial Board Memberships
- Biomolecules