Elena Tsourdi received a grant to investigate the impact of hypethyroidism on osteocytes

PD Dr. med. habil. Elena Tsourdi has been awarded a grant from the Fritz Thyssen foundation to investigate the impact of hyperthyroidism on osteocytes. During the last 7 years she has assessed how thyroid hormones interact with bone cells especially through the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway.

Now, she will expand her research on osteocytes, testing the hypothesis of whether hyperthyroidism can induce mobilization of bone mineral by the osteocyte and thus lead to bone loss. Her aim is to better understand these pathophysiological mechanisms which help to develop more individualized approaches to prevent and treat thyroid hormone-associated bone disease.

The Fritz Thyssen Foundation was the first large private individual foundation established in the Federal Republic of Germany after the Second World War. It promotes several fields of scientific research, devoting special attention to medical research.