EULAMDIMA · Joint European and Latin American Research Network on Diabetic Microangiopathy

The WHO estimates that the metabolic disease diabetes will become the leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality by the year 2020, severely affecting both developed and developing countries. Diabetic microvascular complications affect eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Hyperglycaemia is the most important risk factor for diabetic microangiopathy. However, the mechanisms by which poor glucose control mediates functional and structural changes are poorly understood. New insight into the key pathogenic pathways is crucial for novel therapeutic strategies to prevent and cure these diabetes-associated microvascular complications.EULAMDIMA builds on a novel and unique international focus on microvascular mechanisms as outlined in the FP-7 programme DIAMAP. It has a multidisciplinary and translational approach combining state-of-the-art platforms of (pre-)clinical expertise with expertise in vascular or neuronal biology, novel model systems, and endothelial targeted therapeutic strategies. It fosters the exchange of knowledge by making use of international complementary expertise and provides access to fundamental genetic and environmental data.The present scheme contributes to the construction of new and the enhancement of existing networks. It builds on the UMCG-UHEI cooperation established within the International Research Training Group GRK880 “Vascular Medicine” as well as the cooperation between UMCG and the Latin American partners UNAM and UNAB within the Abel Tasman Talent Programme.EULAMDIMA ultimately aims to define novel targets for the treatment of microvascular complications related to diabetes to help alleviate the immense burden that is posed on both individuals and societies.