Dr Leon Schürgers is chair of the Department of Biochemistry at the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CARIM), Maastricht University. He also chairs the Stem Cell Research University Maastricht (SCRUM) and serves as CSO of vascular biology at Coagulation Profile, a spin-off company from Maastricht University.

 

Dr Schürgers’ research focuses on the role of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in vascular remodelling and calcification, exploring how these processes are initiated and propagated. Key cellular events studied include phenotypic switching, oxidative stress, senescence, and the formation of extracellular vesicles. Understanding the pathogenesis of vascular ageing with respect to the regulation of vitamin K-dependent protein biosynthesis and its relationship with remodelling and subsequent calcification and coagulation is crucial for developing new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.

 

In his research, Dr Schürgers uses primary SMCs and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived SMCs and endothelial cells (iECs) to investigate their roles in vascular development and disease.

These findings aim to enhance our understanding of the role of vascular aging in the development of extensive vascular calcification, and to provide novel insights into prognostic and preventive measures.