Noise and ultrafine particulate matter induced cerebral and cardiovascular damage: novel insights from experimental and epidemiological brain-heart axis biomarkers and computational models

Traffic noise and air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM) and ultrafine particles (UFP), are closely linked environmental risk factors that contribute significantly to the development of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis.
MARKOPOLO aims to investigate the impact of traffic noise and air pollution, especially fine and ultrafine particulate matter, on human health through an innovative translational approach. Experimental and computational models are used in clinical, interventional and epidemiological studies. One of the main objectives is to identify disease-relevant biomarkers and to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in diseases of the brain, lung and cardiovascular system. The “from bench-to-bedside” approach uses extensive knowledge of the brain-heart connection and applies modern methods to better understand the causes of disease.