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Institution
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität
Freiburg
Host
Institution(s)
Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine
Mentor: Raymond R. Russell 3rd, MD, PhD
My first focus is the examination of changes in energy metabolism in the setting of heart failure. Several studies have suggested that there is a "switch" in substrate preference from fatty acids to carbohydrate utilization, similar to fetal conditions. Using a rat model of doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy the amount and function of key enzymes for carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, the amount of high energy phosphates, citrate cycle flux and the mitochondrial function in the failing heart are determined. I further investigate the role of several modulators of myocardial metabolism in heart failure, including insulin, catecholamines and ischemia using the isolated working rat heart.
The second focus of my work is the examination of the signaling cascades involved in alpha and beta adrenoceptor mediated glucose uptake. The existence of several mechanisms has been suggested, in part interfering with the insulin signaling cascade. Although, little is known about the involved second messenger cascades and their interactions.
My third focus is the establishment of isolated working mouse heart perfusions in our lab. This will allow the use of knock-out animals in a working heart preparation, thus both under near-physiologic and controlled conditions.
I am having a very good time here in the U.S. To live in a foreign country and to face a foreign culture taught me that many things can be handled in different but promising ways - from faucets to politics. I learned to question several things about Germany and vice versa. I learned to appreciate things I never liked before.
I had some trouble finding a place to stay because the semester had started a few weeks before I arrived in New Haven. But, finally, everything worked out well.
I was very impressed with the way some Americans decorate their homes in the time before Christmas. Monumental sculptures of Santa Claus and his reindeer riding up in the sky - I would like to know how much money some guys spend on this hobby.
If you are late in time with your visa (as I was) - bring the documents personally to the drop box at the embassy, highlight the flight date on the envelope, and add a copy of the ticket (thanks, Birgit Heller!). In my case, it finally worked out, but it was really nerve-wracking, because I got the visa five days before I departed. So try to get your visa in time!