Research attempts to explain the fundamental pathological processes that underlie sepsis and septic shock; the cardiovascular system fails to perfuse tissues adequately and cells fail to take up oxygen from the blood.
One approach is the clarification of molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory reponse and organ failure occuring in sepsis. Particular attention is given to the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), transition metals, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, whose pathological changes take part in sepsis and eventually multiple organ failure.
Another approach is examining the function and integrity of cells and subcellular organelles in sepsis models, in order to find the starting point within cells leading to organ failure. Particular interest is focused on mitochondria and their function under septic conditions.