Our laboratory works on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Our main purpose is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these diseases in humans and find a clue for the modality of strategy in future.

Our research is supported by Japanese Monbusho grants (3 projects in 2004), 3 private foundations, and TARA center of University of Tsukuba.

We study both human (specimens) and animals using diverse methodologies including molecular biology, pathology, cell culture and biochemistry. One of the major features in our laboratory is that we are able to develop a novel genetically modified (transgenic and knock-down/knock-out) rabbits that express human genes by which to perform many unique researches.

In fact, we, along with our collaborators (Saga University and Kobe University) are the only laboratory in the world that can generate, breed and perform cardiovascular disease using these models. Now, we have established apo(a), apoAII, apoE, apoB, hepatic lipase, lipoprotein lipase, MMP-12, VEGF, apoB mRNA editing protein transgenic rabbits and a new strain of WHHL rabbits, which show high incidence of myocardial infarction. These rabbits are available for people who are interested.

Finally, we have broad collaborations with oversea researchers in this field such as US, Europe and China.

Jianglin Fan, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.H.A.

Associate Professor of Pathology

Chief of Cardiovascular Disease Laboratory

Institute of Basic Medical Sciences

University of Tsukuba

Tsukuba,

305-8575

Japan