The DVH team gathers together scientists from different domains (engineering, biology, physiopathology, pharmacology and surgery) engaged in translational research on vascular dysfunctions and hemostasis in specific bio-stress situations (aging, surgery, pregnancy, etc.). The DVH team is led by S Avril.

The DVH team develops a comprehensive approach to vascular biostress that takes into account both the blood, the vessel wall and blood-vessel interactions. The research focuses on the 3 themes of SAINBIOSE:

• Understanding of biostress, including the role of mechanobiology in vascular dysfunctions and also the role of inflammation in coagulation
• Development of dynamic models reproducing in silico the regulatory processes involved in situations of cardiovascular biostress in order to propose therapeutic innovations based on digital twins
• Precision medicine with the aim of translational research aimed at providing patients with the fundamental and technological advances made by the team.

Vascular dysfunctions are underpinned by highly variable risk situations, thrombotic and/or hemorrhagic risk factors, and by medications that themselves generate thrombogenic or hemorrhagic conditions. Therefore, DVH develops models considering the combination of factors linked to patients themselves due to their own physiological and anatomical characteristics in order to enable personallized medicine.

To give an example, among others, the DVH team has made significant scientific breakthroughs regarding the role of mechanics in thoracic aortic aneurysms. We showed that the risk of aneurysm rupture is significantly increased when the age-induced stiffening of the vascular wall. We developed patient-specific digital twins of the fluid-structure interactions and biological processes involved in aortic aneurysms. This work was supported by several ERC grants and lead to the creation of 2 start-ups.