PhD defence M. (Mirjam) Visscher

1 in 6 people experience a stroke in their lifetime. Of those people more than 50% loses their independence as a consequence thereof. Lipids play a significant role in atherosclerosis, one of the main causes of stroke. In this thesis we investigated the spatial distribution of these lipids. We tried to find a relationship between the molecular composition of plaques and the risk of plaque rupture. To this end we used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) and photoacoustic imaging. We identified molecules that are associated with high-risk plaque features and determined the affiliated photoacoustic spectra. To achieve imaging in patients thereof a translation towards macroscopic imaging needs to be made.

The public defence will take place at the Senate Hall, 1st floor Erasmus Building, location campus Woudestein. The ceremony will begin exactly at 10.30 AM. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.