Department of Pathophysiology

The Department of Pathophysiology is focused on the research-based teaching of the basis of disease at all levels of medical education. The course of pathophysiology teaches medical students to understand the pathogenesis of diseases and syndromes. Specific emphasize is put on the physiological mechanisms that underlie  the compensatory changes that eventually lead to disease-specific signs and symptoms.

Scientific interests at the department support a high-level of pathophysiology teaching. The main focus of the department is on the pathogenetic mechanisms of different diseases. Etiologic factors are categorized into genetic (internal, inherited) or acquired (external or environment) factors. Usually both of these factors are involved in the pathogenesis of disease but the relative contribution of each factor differs across particular cases. Research in the department is directed at discovering new genes and the molecular mechanisms in pathophysiology and their role in modifying the influence of acquired risk factors (gene-environment interaction or GXE).

Spokesperson

Kalju Paju, Visiting Lecturer
Topics: cardiac and metabolic mechanisms
737 4375, kalju.paju@ut.ee

Alireza Fazeli, Professor in Clinical Genomics and Personal Medicine
Topics: reproductive medicine, personal medicine
alireza.fazeli@ut.ee

Participation in Estonian and international scientific organizations

Estonia:

• Estonian Society of Physiology membership: Ehte Orlova 

International:

• The membership of International Society of Heart Researchers (ISHR): Lumme Kadaja
• The membership of Scandinavian Society of Laboratory Animal Science (ScandLAS): Lumme Kadaja