In biomedical research, various animal models are available to address research questions in cardiology. In particular, rodent species and pigs are currently used to study molecular and functional mechanisms of cardiac pathologies, to test new surgical methods and therapeutic options, or to identify potential biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. Although a lot of essential information can be obtained in these animals, various inte-specific differences and their genetic distances to humans in some systems limit the translation of obtained knowledge to humans.

Here, the use of non-human primate species opens up new possibilities: particularly short-lived species such as the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus, 300-500g, average age 12 years). These New-World primates show the first natural signs of aging such as cartilage defects, hearing loss and nerve cell degeneration already at the age of a few years. In addition, it is known from colony studies that they can develop obesity and diabetes, which makes them comparable to humans.

As part of the research focus "Cardiovascular Aging", our department is investigating and characterizing the common marmoset as a potential animal model for age-associated cardiovascular changes. Molecular biological investigations are used in an interdisciplinary project funded by the German Center for Cardiovascular Research e.V. (Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V.) together with functional cardiac catheterizations and non-invasive imaging techniques to collect physiological data for the species common marmoset. In cooperation with internal and external colleagues, additional organs will also be examined for signs of aging. In a second step, biomarkers and possible human-relevant therapeutic targets for the occurring changes will be identified before these can be tested in the future using disease models.