Research activities

The research activity of our group focuses on the clinical and translational understanding of cerebrovascular diseases, with a particular emphasis on intracranial aneurysms, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), and secondary ischemic complications such as delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). This work builds on earlier experimental research investigating neuronal adaptation to hypoxia and ischemia, including mitochondrial function and calcium-dependent injury mechanisms studied in organotypic hippocampal cultures and rodent models.

Our current objective is to improve the prediction and prevention of aneurysm rupture and to optimize neurovascular patient management through risk stratification, multimodal data integration, and data-driven decision support. We investigate how clinical risk factors and aneurysm morphology interact to influence disease evolution and long-term outcomes, contributing to improved predictive models and personalized neurovascular care.

In parallel, we maintain active experimental programs addressing vascular adaptation to ischemic stress. In collaboration with the groups of Brenda Kwak and Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat, we study endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell responses using cell culture systems and rodent models.

A key translational axis involves intraoperative neuromonitoring and functional brain monitoring during complex neurosurgical procedures. In collaboration with Colette Boëx, we explore how electrophysiological signals reflect brain vulnerability and ischemic stress at the organ level. We also collaborate with Hervé Quintard and Pia De Stefano to integrate advanced neurocritical care monitoring, including large-animal (porcine) models and continuous EEG recording during vasospasm, stroke, and DCI.

Our research is embedded within the Genomics and Digital Health (GESAN) PhD Program of the University of Geneva, supporting interdisciplinary training at the interface of vascular biology, clinical neuroscience, and computational modelling, with the long-term goal of enabling more predictive and individualized cerebrovascular medicine

Contact

Departement des neurosciences cliniques
HUG
Email: Philippe.Bijlenga@hug.ch