In the world of modern research, innovation rarely occurs in isolation. In this series, we highlight a new research team each month, talking about how teamwork is essential for making their science work. This month in the spotlight: Team VCR.
During the Research Days last October, the annual UMC Utrecht Team Science Award was awarded to team Neo-BRAIN. However, Team Science thrives across many other research teams at UMC Utrecht. Here, Team Virtual Cerebrovascular Responses (VCR) tells how teamwork helps to advance the understanding of cortical vessel function in small vessel diseases.
Dysfunction of cortical vessels is a key factor in small vessel diseases and is increasingly linked to neurodegenerative conditions like dementia. Cortical vessels are small blood vessels in the cerebral cortex (the outer layer of the brain) and are essential for maintaining cerebral blood flow, and the blood-brain barrier. In small vessel diseases, these small vessels are damaged, but little is known about the mechanisms behind this.
Diagnosis and assessing disease severity is challenging because individual vessels are too small for medical imaging techniques. “Functional MRI provides an opportunity to assess cerebrovascular health, but interpretation remains difficult,” explains Natalia Petridou, associate professor. “Our team is developing a computational model of cortical vessel function in the human brain that bridges imaging with the underlying biology. The model will help optimize the functional measurements to stage disease severity and to interpret the observed changes.”
“Small vessel disease is a complex condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Collaboration is essential to bring together diverse expertise and perspectives, enabling research opportunities and results that wouldn’t be possible individually. Integrating diverse skills (computational modelling, biophysics, mathematics, engineering, MRI, immunohistochemistry, 3D microscopy, neurovascular coupling, and cerebrovascular pathology) enables us to bring theoretical modeling to practical imaging techniques. The interdisciplinary approach also facilitates the development of novel methodologies and ensures the research is scientifically robust, clinically relevant, and patient-centered.”
“We have developed a 3D computational model that integrates cortical vessel geometry, topology, and hemodynamics to simulate functional MRI signals. This model creates an angioarchitecture based on 2D histological features, with 3D features derived from a novel immunohistochemistry protocol and laser sheet microscopy. We are currently testing this approach on human post-mortem samples.”
“With this model we can hopefully research small vessels with non-invasive MRI in patients with small vessel diseases like Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. Ultimately, we hope our work will contribute to the development of new drug therapies, improve clinical trials outcome markers, and minimize animal testing.”
“VAMOS! Which is also the name of our model: VAscular MOdel based on Statistics. The motto reflects the team’s commitment to moving forward with energy and determination, readiness to tackle challenges together, thereby fostering a positive and proactive research culture. The team ensures effective cooperation and a positive working atmosphere by fostering transparency, inclusivity, and open communication. Regular meetings, open discussions, and opportunities for team members to exchange ideas and provide feedback help sustain a collaborative environment. Additionally, celebrating achievements, offering support during challenges, and acknowledging each member’s unique strengths contribute to a constructive and motivating work culture.”
The team is highly diverse: different career stages, ethnicity, departments, expertise and a close collaboration with the LUMC. The core team members are Natalia Petridou (Associate professor, UMC Utrecht), Thijs van Osch (Professor Radiology, LUMC), Mario Baez-Yanez (Post-doc, UMC Utrecht), Vanja Curcic (PhD candidate, UMC Utrecht), Emiel Roefs (PhD candidate, LUMC), Hans Rundfeldt (PhD candidate, UMC Utrecht), and Youri Adolfs (Technician, MIND facility UMC Utrecht). We also collaborate with Neurology & Neurosurgery, Medical Technology, MRI Industry, Proefdiervrij Foundation, and patient organizations (HCHWA-D Association).
Read this article about Team LOTX.
Read this article about the winner of the 2024 Team Science Award, team Neo-BRAIN.
