Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death and morbidity in industrialized countries. Timely and successful reperfusion is the optimal clinical treatment, which is ideally achieved by percutaneous coronary intervention or by coronary bypass surgery for complete myocardial revascularization. Despite tremendous efforts, the consequences for AMI patients, such as inferior quality of life, progression of disease, secondary diseases including heart failure (HF), valvular heart disease, and cardiovascular death, remain significant. Reperfusion of an AMI (repAMI) induces a complex orchestrated interplay between several cellular compartments in the heart. The signaling pathways remain incompletely understood and provide a substantial field of research in cardiovascular medicine.

The overall subject of this RTG 2989 is the characterization of the distinct, cellular interfaces in repAMI (TCI repAMI). The cellular interfaces to be examined in the 11 projects of the RTG 2989 include components of (i) the immune system, (ii) the vasculature, and (iii) the cardiomyocytes. The aim is to detect and characterize new treatment options for patients with AMI. For ensuring excellent training/qualification, a highly synergistic approach is crucial. Extensive research in the field of repAMI has shown that the development of new treatments requires the identification of a clinical problem and the characterization of the underlying signaling pathways/cellular interfaces. The first milestone to reach is the ability to perform successful clinical studies. We call this the “bed-to-bench-to-bed principle”. The RTG 2989 is therefore characterized by a novel program that provides excellent graduates with the clinical and basic science skills necessary for future successful research. The qualification of the graduates is to be achieved with a multi-layered program. In particular, each project will be led by a Lead principal investigator (Lead PI) and the graduates will be jointly supervised by a basic and a clinical scientist. All necessary methods are fully established in the laboratories of the PIs. This joint effort ensures that multitarget strategies are identified as a collaborative effort within the consortium. A majority of the projects are led by a female/male Tandem PI team. The fact that several of the PIs have previously collaborated successfully in the field provides a methodological advantage for this consortium. The RTG 2989 relies on a single methodology in small and large animal models for the sake of comparison and close collaboration. The clinical studies are supervised by the CTU of the Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine.

The distinct research program of the RTG 2989 is conducted by 11 projects each supervised by a Tandem PI team in 3 research areas. In Research area 1, “Reperfused AMI – plasticity and control mechanisms of immune cells”, the projects are aimed at characterizing immune cell signatures in repAMI, their plasticity, and their interaction with other heart cells. In Research area 2, “Reperfused AMI – targeting vascular cells”, the projects target vascular functions in repAMI. In Research area 3, “Reperfused AMI – communication, metabolism, and preservation of cardiomyocytes”, projects focus on the cardiomyocyte fate decision in repAMI.

To achieve the goal of defining novel therapeutic options based on a “bed-to-bench-to-bed principle”, we have designed a dedicated qualification program for both PhD and MD students. This program is based on the fact that the experimental design, data analysis, and evaluation of the results, and their placement in the clinical context will be performed by the Tandem PI teams together with the graduates. The graduates will also be mentored and supported by the Internal Advisory Committee (IAC), the External Scientific Advisory Board (ESAB) and the Translational Mentoring Board (TMB).

Additional unique provisions of the RTG 2989 are a dedicated gender and equality program, a supervision concept, clinical visits by the PhD students, conflict management, a postdoctoral start-up funding and/or initial contacts with the biomedical industry through 2-week internships. The RTG 2989, with a focus on repAMI, aims to conduct joint meetings with the Cologne-based RTG 2407 on “Inflammatory and cellular stress signaling: Switches to vascular dysfunction”. These joint meetings are regarded as mutually beneficial for graduates of both RTGs in providing insight into projects focused on the acute and chronic settings. Completion of the required training components are required for certification of successful program completion.

The RTG program starts 1^st April 2024.

RTG 2989 Web Site

PLEASE NOTE: Admission to the research training groups (RTGs) is closed and any enquiries or applications concerning these courses should be addressed directly to their respective speakers or coordinators and not to the Graduate School of Biomedical Science.

Speakers: