Challenges and innovative approaches in cardio-metabolic disease

CIVIS focus area: Health
Open to: Master's

PhD candidates/ students
Field of studies: Medicine and Health
Type: Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP)
Course dates: 12 February 2024 - 7 June 2024

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide. Thus, understanding the causes and potential treatments for these pathologies is a global and major health challenge. The main objective of this proposal is to develop a transnational and transdisciplinary course that will facilitate current knowledge in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases to early career scientists. We will take advantage of innovative ways of teaching and learning to fill a current gap in training. To achieve our goal, we have created a team of experts in the field of cardiometabolic diseases from CIVIS universities. Moreover, we will invite external stakeholders, who will teach novel pathophysiological mechanisms and innovative therapeutic approaches. We will focus on innovative teaching techniques including mentoring, journal clubs, hands-on sessions, important translational experimental models, grant proposal writing, design of experimental studies, translation of basic research in clinical practice and design of clinical trials in the field of cardiometabolic diseases.

The course will cover novel pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic approaches related to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. This is a health problem that affects more than 64 million people worldwide having a serious impact on their survival and quality of life. The following issues will be particularly covered:

Cardiovascular diseases related to inflammation and fibrosis
Diabetes related cardiovascular disease
Vascular aging and microvascular dysfunction in cardiovascular disease
Novel approaches in cardiac repair/regeneration
Novel approaches for end/stage heart failure- Preservation and repair of the donor heart

Tutors include expert biologists, clinical scientists and pharmacologists, covering the field from basic research to clinical practice. Participating teachers will be academics from 5 CIVIS universities, as well as guest speakers from other universities, research institutes, important medical associations, specialized hospitals and the pharma industry.

An important part of the physical meeting will be focused on translational experimental models of cardiovascular diseases, advanced imaging facilities and state-of the art molecular and microscopy techniques, including the presentation of videos, hands-on sessions and discussion. During this course, the students will have the opportunity to develop practical skills on:

In vivo and ex vivo models of myocardial infarction in rodents
Echocardiography, high resolution micro-SPECT & CT imaging, in vivo optical imaging system for fluorescence and bioluminescence in rodents
Clinical evaluation of endothelial dysfunction (flow mediated-dilation) and damage (IMT measurement, atherosclerotic plaque evaluation.
Advanced cell culture models, cardiac organoids, engineered cardiac tissue
Advanced molecular and microscopy techniques that will include measurement of bioenergetic states of different cells (cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and monocytes/macrophages) by quantifying their metabolic respiration with the technology of a metabolic flux analyzer and ultimate 3D imaging of solvent-cleared organs (uDISCO) with light sheet microscopy.

Main topics addressed

The following topics will be particularly addressed:

Cardiovascular diseases related to inflammation and fibrosis
Diabetes related cardiovascular disease
Vascular aging and microvascular dysfunction in cardiovascular disease
Novel approaches in cardiac repair/regeneration
Novel approaches for end/stage heart failure- Preservation and repair of the donor heart

Learning outcomes

Students are expected to:

Advance their knowledge in the field of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including novel pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic approaches
Develop practical skills in the use of translational experimental models (in vivo, ex vivo, advanced disease modeling), in vivo imaging facilities and state-of-the-art molecular techniques for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases
Develop their skills in critical thinking, analysis and reviewing of scientific studies
Develop their skills in the design of experimental studies, creation of successful grant proposals, translation of basic research in clinical practice and design of clinical trials
Develop their skills on oral communication, scientific idea development and how to apply for a future fellowship
Establish networking links favoring the cohesion among CIVIS Universities

Dates: 12 February 2024 - 7 June 2024	Total workload: 175 hours
Format: Blended	ECTS: 6*
Location: Athens, Greece	Language: English (B2-C1)

*Recognition of ECTS depends on your home university.

The contact point for this course is imour@med.uoa.gr.

Physical mobility

Physical Meeting Programme

1. Cardiovascular diseases related to inflammation and fibrosis (3 June 2024)

Lecture Theater sessions

9.00-10.00 CET Esteban Gurzov (ULB), Title: Dysfunctional signal transduction in inflammation and fibrosis
10.00-11.00 CET Dennis Cokkinos (BRFAA) Title Degenerative aortic stenosis. Is it preventable or reversible? A translational approach

Coffee Break

11.30-12.15 CET Students Presentation
12.15-13.15 CET Simulation Session 1 (UAM): Cell Energetics and Metabolic Flux Analyzer Moderator: Oscar Lorenzo González

Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 CET

Students’ Group A Module 1 (Moderator Concha Peiró)
Students’ Group B Module 2 (Moderator Esteban Gurzov)
Students’ Group C Module 3 (Moderator Oscar Lorenzo González)
Students’ Group D Module 4 (Moderator George Loudos, Maritina Rouchota)
Students’ Group E Module 5 (Moderator Nicolas Baeyens)

2. Diabetes related cardiovascular disease (4 June 2024)

Lecture Theater sessions

9.00-10.00 CET Ernesto Maddaloni (SUR) Title: Vascular damage in adult-onset autoimmune diabetes
10.00-11.00 CET Gratiela Gradisteanu (UB) Title: Current trends in bioengineering for diabetes

Coffee Break

11.30-12.15 CET Students Presentation
12.15-13.15 CET Simulation Session 2 (SUR): Clinical evaluation of endothelial dysfunction and damage Moderator: Ernesto Maddaloni

Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 CET

Students’ Group A Module 2 (Moderator Esteban Gurzov)
Students’ Group B Module 3 (Moderator Oscar Lorenzo González)
Students’ Group C Module 4 (Moderator George Loudos, Maritina Rouchota)
Students’ Group D Module 5 (Moderator Nicolas Baeyens)
Students’ Group E Module 1 (Moderator Concha Peiró)

3. Vascular aging and microvascular dysfunction in cardiovascular disease (5 June 2024)

Lecture Theater sessions

9.00-10.00 CET Concha Peiró (UAM), Title: Angiotensin-(1-7): the protective branch of the renin-angiotensin as a vascular anti-ageing target
10.00-11.00 CET Nicolas Baeyens (ULB), Title: Tissue Transparization and volumetric imaging: new technical approaches to investigate cardiovascular disorders

Coffee Break

11.30-12.15 CET Students Presentation
12.15-13.15 CET Simulation Session 3 (ULB) Volumetric Microscopic Imaging, Moderator: Nicolas Baeyens

Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 CET

Students’ Group A Module 3 (Moderator Gratiela Gradisteanu, Ernesto Maddaloni)
Students’ Group B Module 4 (Moderator George Loudos, Maritina Rouchota)
Students’ Group C Module 5 (Moderator Athanasios Lourbopoulos)
Students’ Group D Module 1 (Moderator Concha Peiró)
Students’ Group E Module 2 (Moderator Esteban Gurzov)

4. Novel approaches for diagnosis and therapy for heart failure (6 June 2024)

Lecture Theater sessions

9.00-10.00 CET : Oscar Lorenzo González (UAM), Title: Plasma biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac failure
10.00-11.00 CET Iordanis Mourouzis (NKUA), Title: Triiodothyronine as a novel therapeutic approach for repair/regeneration after myocardial infarction

Coffee Break

11.30-12.15 CET Christodoulos Xinaris (Mario Negri, Italy), Title: Modulating Thyroid Hormone Signaling to regenerate Diabetic organs
12.15-13.00 CET Students Presentation

Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 CET

Students’ Group A Module 4 (Moderator George Loudos, Maritina Rouchota)
Students’ Group B Module 5 (Moderator Athanasios Lourbopoulos)
Students’ Group C Module 1 (Moderator Gratiela Gradisteanu, Ernesto Maddaloni)
Students’ Group D Module 2 (Moderator Iordanis Mourouzis)
Students’ Group E Module 3 (Moderator Polyxeni Mantzouratou)

5. Novel approaches for end/stage heart failure- Preservation and repair of the donor heart (7 June 2024)

Lecture Theater sessions

9.00-10.00 CET Themistoklis Thamogeorgakis (Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center), Title: Current technique of cardiac allograft procurement
10.00-11.00 CET Dr. med. Sebastian Rojas Hernandez (Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum), Title: Machine prefusion as a novel approach for donor heart preservation

Coffee Break

11.30-12.15 CET Constantinos Pantos (NKUA), Title: Role of Thyroid hormone in Donor Heart Preservation and Repair under Machine Normothermic Perfusion
12.15-13.00 CET Evaluation

Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 CET

Students’ Group A Module 5 (Moderator Athanasios Lourbopoulos)
Students’ Group B Module 1 (Moderator Gratiela Gradisteanu)
Students’ Group C Module 2 (Moderator Iordanis Mourouzis)
Students’ Group D Module 3 (Moderator Polyxeni Mantzouratou)
Students’ Group E Module 4 (Moderator George Loudos, Maritina Rouchota)

Hands/on sessions Practice (5 modules)

Each module will be repeated each day with a different group of students. Al students will practice all modules.

Module 1. In vivo model of myocardial infarction in rodents
Module 2. Ex vivo models of isolated heart perfusion in rodents
Module 3. Echocardiography in rodents
Module 4. high resolution micro-SPECT & CT imaging, in vivo optical imaging system for fluorescence and bioluminescence in rodents
Module 5. Advanced microscopy, ultimate 3D imaging of solvent-cleared organs (uDISCO) with light sheet microscopy

Simulation Sessions

A selected group of students with access to the relevant equipment will practice the model or technique under expert supervision and will prepare a demonstration/video and present the technique to the other students during the physical meeting.

Clinical evaluation of endothelial dysfunction (flow mediated-dilation) and damage (IMT measurement, atherosclerotic plaque evaluation)
Advanced molecular and microscopy techniques that will include measurement of bioenergetic states of different cells (cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and monocytes/macrophages) by quantifying their metabolic respiration with the technology of a metabolic flux analyzer
Volumetric Microscopic Imaging

Virtual part

February 12, Introductory Lecture: Epidemiology and Challenges in CardioMetabolic Disease (Presenter: Fernando Rodriguez Artalejo, Jose Luis Lopez Sendon, 45min)

Basic epidemiology of CardioMetabolic Disease
Current therapies
Future challenges and Unmet needs

Virtual Unit 1

February 13 (14.00-15.00 CET) A.Risk of complications in diabetes: heterogeneity among diabetes types. (Presenter: E. Maddaloni, SUR, 20min). B. Journal club (Coordinators: Group A of students). Discussion.

Phenotypes and endotypes of adult-onset diabetes
Risk stratification of vascular diabetic complications in different diabetes types
Implications for therapies

February 15 (14.00-15.00 CET) A. Insights into the mechanisms of diabetic complications (Presenter: Anca Hermenean, UB, 20min). B. Journal club (Coordinators: Group B of students). Discussion.

Animal models too study diabetes complications
Modulation of signal transduction pathways
Molecular regulation of anti-fibrotic responses in diabetes

February 19 (14.00-15.00 CET) A. The role of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in cardiometabolic disorders (Presenter: R. Risi, SUR). B. Journal club (Coordinators: Group C of students). Discussion.

PBMCs: heterogeneity of the population and isolation methods
PBMCs as marker of metabolic disease
Immunometabolic activation of PBMCs: a possible pathogenetic moment in metabolic disease?

February 22 (14.00-15.00 CET) A. Type 2 Diabetes: From Pathophysiology to Cyber Systems (Presenter: Anca Pantea Stoian, UB, 20min). B. Journal club (Coordinators: Group D of students). Discussion.

Lifestyle and nutritional interventions in diabetes
Systems to support early diagnosis and prevention of prediabetes

Virtual Unit 2

February 26 (13.30-14.30 CET) A. Cell senescence, inflammageing and vascular disease. (Presenter: C.Peiró, 20min). B. Journal club (Coordinators: Group E of students). Discussion.

Vascular ageing: why does it matter?
The hallmarks of vascular ageing
Vascular cell senescence, the SASP and inflammageing

February 29 (13.30-14.30 CET) A. Development of fibrosis in the cardiovascular system (Presenter: O.Lorenzo, 20min). B. Journal club (Coordinators: Group A of students). Discussion.

Sobreexpresion of extracellular matrix (ECM) components
Deregulation of ECM degradation
Accumulation of ECM and cardiac remodelling

March 4 (14.00-16.00 CET) A. Presenter E. Gurzov: Systems biology of fibrosis (30min). Discussion.

Brief introduction to novel techniques for the study of metabolic diseases (single cell RNA-Seq, spatial transcriptomics, spatial lipidomics, etc).
Use of stem cells for gene editing, differentiation in metabolic cells and pathology modelling.
Therapeutic possibilities and future perspectives.

B. Presenter N. Baeyens: cardiovascular biomechanics (inflammation, fibrosis and remodeling). (30min) Discussion. C. Presenter A. Bondue: Clinical genetics of cardiovascular disorders (30min) Discussion.

March 7 (14.00-15.00 CET) A. Journal club 1 (Coordinators: Group B of students). Coordinators N. Baeyens, E. Gurzov, A. Bondue B. Journal club 2 (Coordinators: Group D of students). Discussion.

The basic elements of a correct participant information sheet and informed consent document.
Making an application for ethical review and regulatory approval.
The ethical and regulatory review process.

Virtual Unit 3

March 11 (13.30-14.30 CET) A. Health policies in diabetes and cardiovascular health and clinical trials (Presenter: Oana Geambasu, 20min). B. Design and present the summary of a clinical trial for diabetes/cardiovascular disease interventions (Coordinators: Group A of students). Discussion.

Strategy, public policy, and governmental programs
Research, innovation, and technology strategies based on the most recent global trends and examples of good practice.

March 14 (13.30-14.30 CET) A. From treat to target to treat to benefit in diabetes: the changing landscape of cardiovascular outcome trials in diabetes (Presenter: E. Maddaloni, 20 min). B. Critical analysis of different cardiovascular outcome trials in diabetes, focusing on the impact of different study design and different enrolled populations on the clinical implications (Coordinators: Group B of students) Discussion.

Glycemic control and CVD in diabetes: does it matter?
Cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOT) in type 2 diabetes
Impact of CVOT on clinical practice guidelines

March 18 (13.30-14.30 CET) How to apply for the ethical approval of a clinical trial (Presenter: A. Borobia, 50 min). Discussion

Regulation of clinical trials in Europe: the basics.
Participants rights in clinical trials
Ethical evaluation of clinical trials: the protection of participants.

March 21 (13.30-14.30 CET) Design and draf an ethical committee approval and an informed consent (Coordinators: Group C of students). A. Borobia, A. Carcas.

The basic elements of a correct participant information sheet and informed consent document.
Making an application for ethical review and regulatory approval.
The ethical and regulatory review process.

Virtual Unit 4

April 8 (13.30-14.30 CET) A. Introduction to therapeutic approaches for cardiac regeneration to combat heart failure. (Presenter: I. Mourouzis, 20min). B. Journal club (Coordinators: Group C of students). Discussion.

Examples of cardiac regeneration in nature
Different ways to regenerate the heart – target cells
Current research and efforts: where we stand

April 11 (13.30-14.30 CET) A. Introduction to cardiac organ donor preservation methods: the unmet need of heart transplantation. (Presenter: C. Pantos, 20min). B. Journal club (Coordinators: Group E of students). Discussion.

Heart transplantation as a very effective and unique therapy for end-stage heart failure
Cardioplegia as the gold standard for cardiac donor preservation: strengths and limitations
Novel methods for cardiac donor preservation to expand the donor pool

April 15 (13.30-15.00 CET) A. How to design a phase II Clinical Trial with novel drugs in in cardiovascular disease (Presenter: I. Mourouzis, 30min). B.Design and present the summary of a clinical trial for a new regenerative therapy for the heart including the main components such as inclusion/exclusion criteria, sample size, end-points, follow-up (Coordinators: Group D of students).

The appropriate design in a new phase II trial with a novel drug in patients with myocardial infarction
How to select inclusion/exclusion criteria in a new phase II trial with a novel drug in patients with myocardial infarction
How to select the Primary and secondary outcomes
Calculate the number of patients to be included

Virtual Unit 5

April 22 (13.30-14.30 CET) Write and present a 2-page letter of intent for a grant proposal on ‘’Cardiovascular disease in diabetes ‘’ guided by tutors (Presenter: Group E of students). Coordinators: E. Maddaloni, Giulia D’Amati, R.Risi Students would have to come up with a new hypothesis, a methodological plan to test it within a two years frame period and prepare a project proposal

How to formulate a scientifically-sound hypothesis and appropriate objectives
Choose the correct study design to pursue the specified objectives
Time-line and GANTT chart

April 25 (13.30-14.30 CET) Write and present a 2-page letter of intent for a grant proposal on ‘‘’Novel therapeutic approaches in type 2 diabetes ‘’ guided by tutors (Presenter: Group A of students). Coordinators Gratiela Gradisteanu, Sorina Dinescu.

How to formulate a scientific research idea
Tips and tricks on milestones, deliverables and key project indicators
How to formulate working packages and tasks

May 13 (14.00-16.00 CET) Grant writing (Presenter: Group B of students). Coordinators N. Baeyens, E. Gurzov, A. Bondue

Students would have to come up with a new hypothesis,
a methodological plan to test it within a two years frame period and
prepare a project proposal

May 16 (13.30-14.30 CET) Write and present a 2-page letter of intent for a grant proposal on ‘’novel therapeutic approaches for cardiac regeneration’’ guided by tutors (Presenter: Group C of students). I. Mourouzis, C. Xinaris, A. Lourbopoulos

Students would have to come up with a new hypothesis,
a methodological plan to test it within a two years frame period and
prepare a project proposal

Journal Clubs

Publications will be given to all students before the beginning of the program (January 2024). In order to prepare the journal clubs (which will take place after the frontal lesson of the tutors). All students will have to work on the assigned publications focusing on the following issues:

Describe the hypothesis of this paper. How the authors reached this hypothesis? Is the hypothesis sound?
Describe the design of the study. Is the design adequate to address the hypothesis?
Describe the methodological tools that the authors used to address the hypothesis.
Describe the results and conclusions. Do results fully support the conclusions?
Ηow this work advances knowledge in the field. Define the strengths and weaknesses.

The Coordinating Group of students will work with the academic staff to be able to define the correct answers to these questions. Then, the Coordinating Group of students will guide the discussion with the other students within the activity.

Requirements

English level B2-C1
Computer literacy

This course is open to Masters' in Health Sciences (Medicine, Biology, Pharmaceutics etc) and PhD students at CIVIS member universities studying subjects linked to cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

In addition, applicants should demonstrate a sufficient level of English language to communicate (oral and written) with their peers, speakers, professors, researchers and administrators (B2-C1).

NB: Visiting Students - Erasmus Funding Eligibility

To be eligible for your selected CIVIS programme, you must be a fully enrolled student at your CIVIS home university at the time you will be undertaking the programme. Click here to learn more about the eligibility criteria.

Students from CIVIS’ strategic partner universities in Africa cannot apply for participation in this course.

Application process

Send your application by filling in the online application form by 7 November 2023 with the following documents:

Motivation letter
CV
Level of English (CEFR)

Evaluation Criteria of students´applications will be based on:

Relevance of the MsC or PhD program to the course
CV showing scientific contribution to the field of cardiovascular and metabolic disease
Motivation letter

Assessment

Evaluation will be performed using 3 criteria:

A multiple choice questions test (50%),
Performance during classes and presentations (40%)
Assistance (10%).

During each virtual unit, students will be evaluated with a maximum of 8 points for performance during classes and presentations and 2 points for assistance. Thus, each student can reach a maximum of 10 points for each unit and a total of 50 points for all 5 units. Furthermore, a multiple choice questions (MCQ) test will be performed at the end of the program. Each participating University will prepare 5 MCQs corresponding to the classes performed for a total of 25 MCQs. Each correct answer will count for 2 points for a total of 50 points. Thus, the maximum evaluation for the virtual component of a student can reach 100 points.

Blended Intensive Programme

This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP): a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe. Click here to learn more about CIVIS BIPs.

GDPR Consent

The CIVIS alliance and its member universities will treat the information you provide with respect. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information on our privacy practices. By applying to this course you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

Gratiela (Pircalabioru) Gradisteanu graduated from University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology with a Bachelor Degree in Biochemistry (2009) and holds a Master’s Degree in Microbial Biotechnology and Genetics (2011). She started her research career in 2011 as a Research Assistant at Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland. She has participated in 5 European projects and has had 3 international scholarships: for Master Studies (Democritus University, Greece, 2010), for PhD studies (University College Dublin, Ireland, 2011-2015) and a postdoctoral fellowship (University College Dublin, Ireland, 2015-2016). Since 2016, she is a Research Fellow at ICUB (Research Institute of University of Bucharest) and has been actively involved in several national and international projects as as projector director: Composite hydrogels based on inorganic nanoparticles and collagen with prolonged antimicrobial activity for the prevention of wound infections (2016-2018), Knowledge transfer in polymers used for biomedical engineering (2018-2019), ManuNet Horizon 2020- New textiles for parietal defects (2019-2021), Advanced techniques for early SARS-CoV2 detection (2020-2021), Type 2 Diabetes: a multi-omic view on host NAPH oxidases and gut microbiota (2021-2023). Main research focuses: biocompatibility, biomaterials and tissue engineering, microbiome changes in diabetes and metabolic syndrome, in vivo and ex-vivo investigation of host-pathogen crosstalk during the infectious process, oxidative stress in health and disease, assessment of the antimicrobial activity of novel antimicrobial compounds, SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic and omic technologies.
A/Prof Gurzov is the head of the Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory. His research focus on metabolism, diabetes, and the impact of metabolic-mediated complications. His vision is to study metabolic disorders as multi-organ diseases to identify relevant mechanisms, novel targets and therapeutic strategies. For this purpose, the Laboratory makes use of human samples, stem cells and mouse models with an extensive variety of techniques – including in vivo models of metabolic diseases, gene expression/regulation, mass spectrometry, in silico drug discovery and imaging. The Laboratory is located at the Faculty of Medicine Université libre de Bruxelles, which provides opportunities for translational research.
Óscar Lorenzo, PhD, Associated Professor at the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). He runs the Laboratory of research in Diabetes and vascular Pathology at the IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz Hospital with the interest on identify potential molecular pathways involved in the cardiovascular damage under diabetes and related comorbidities. Different students from biomedical sciences work in the lab searching for key factors, mediators and biomarkers related with several cardiomyopathies associated to metabolic alterations. In addition, Óscar was Vice-Dean for Postgraduate Studies and is now coordinating the PhD Program of Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery and a a main subject in the Master’s in Pharmacology Research (Cardiovascular speciality). He also represents the UAM at the Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and metabolic diseases domain, from the Health Hub of CIVIS Council.
Dr Ernesto Maddaloni, is currently Assistant Professor of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy. He gained his MD, clinical specialty in Endocrinology and Diabetes and PhD in “Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Bioethics” at Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome. He has joined the Vascular Cell Biology Section of the Joslin Diabetes Center (Harvard Medical School) for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in 2014 and the Diabetes Trial Unit of the University of Oxford in 2017 as a mentee of the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) Future Leaders Mentorship Program, to actively pursuing his studies on clinical diabetes, cardiovascular outcomes and novel diabetes complications. His research interests focus on the study of adults with autoimmune diabetes and the interplay between vascular complications, bone health and autoimmunity. After the Sars-CoV2 infection outbreak, he has contributed also with original articles evaluating the strict relationship between diabetes and related comorbidities with Covid-19. Dr Maddaloni has been a study investigator and coordinator for several national and international clinical trials and has published as lead author in several top-ranked peer-reviewed international medical journals (for publication list see here). His scientific achievements have been recognized with several awards, including the 2015 Albert Renold Fellowship from the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes, the 2017 (under 32) and 2021 (under 35) Young Investigator Awards from the Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE), the 2017 Early Investigator Award from the Endocrine Society (USA) and the 2020 Young (under 35) Investigator Award from the Italian Society of Diabetes (SID).
Dr. I. Mourouzis received his degree in Medicine from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2001) and PhD in “Thyroid hormone and cardioprotection” (2006, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens). He is a trained cardiologist and is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, NKUA. He has considerable experience in experimental models of isolated rat hearts, in vivo model of ischemia-reperfusion, echocardiograqphy in mice and rats, biochemical and molecular techniques. His research is translational and has focused on the role of thyroid hormone in tissue repair (myocardium, neural tissue, pancreas, sepsis) and especially on endogenous mechanisms of repair/regeneration after myocardial injury. He is inventor of 2 international patents for new drugs. He is the scientific coordinator for NKUA in the European program “Regenerating the diabetic heart and kidney by using stress-specific thyroid hormone nanocarriers” (REASON, 2020-2023). Dr. Mourouzis has published more than 120 scientific papers in international, peer-review journals. His work has received more than 4100 citations according to Google Scholar (h-index 40). He is one of the two representatives of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in the HEALTH HUB Council of the CIVIS program, a European Civic University formed by the alliance of nine leading research higher education institutions across Europe.
Concha Peiró, PhD, Full Professor at the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). She leads the Vascular Pharmacology & Metabolism (FARMAVASM) research group, also part of Hospital Universitario La Paz research Institute (IdiPAZ). The current main lines of the group aim to identify pharmacological targets to attenuate the vascular impact of cardiometabolic diseases and premature inflammageing. Very dedicated to doctoral education, she served as Coordinator of the PhD Programme in Pharmacology & Physiology, Vice-Dean for Postgraduate Studies, and Vice-Director of UAM Multidisciplinary Doctoral School. She currently represents UAM by the CIVIS Health Hub (3) Council.
Dr. C. Pantos received his degree in Medicine and his PhD from Medical School of Athens. He is trained in Clinical and Invasive Cardiology at the University College & Middlesex Hospital, London, UK. He is currently Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Athens. For the last 25 years, his research is focused on the role of thyroid hormone in tissue regeneration (myocardium, neural tissue, pancreas, sepsis) and especially on endogenous mechanisms of repair/regeneration after myocardial injury. This research has resulted in a Phase II clinical trial (Thy-Repair) testing the effects of T3 in patients with acute myocardial infarction. (EudraCT:2016-000631-40). He was one of the clinical experts in the EC funded project “Efficient Patient Recruitment for Innovative Clinical Trials of Existing Drugs to other Indications” (PONTE). Dr. Pantos has published more than 140 scientific papers in international, peer-review journals His work has received more than 4600 citations (Google Scholar, h-index 42). He has also served as a guest editor in 4 special issues. He has several research collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry (Gilead, Menarini, Sanofi-Aventis, Servier, Uni-Pharma Laboratories S.A.)
Dr. George LOUDOS is co-founder and CEO at BIOMETECH. Between 2008 and 2021 he was an Assistant Professor at University of West Attica (Athens, Greece). He has participated as a coordinator or partner in more than 20 EU projects, as well as two National Excellence grants and several smaller national and other projects. Ηe has published >130 articles in international journals and has >250 publications in conference proceedings and ~2000 citations and he has been organizer of many international conferences, workshops and training schools. He is the co-inventor of the “eyes” desktop imaging systems and the fillable mouse and rat phantom.
Dr. Sebastian Rojas obtained his medical degree from Hannover Medical School in 2008. Post-graduation, he pursued a fellowship focusing on cardiac stem cell research at the renowned Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), under the guidance of Prof. U. Martin and Prof. A. Haverich. In 2013, he completed his doctoral thesis, titled "Fibrinogen as Biomatrix for Cardiac Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells." Continuing his career trajectory, he underwent a residency specializing in cardiac surgery at Hannover Medical School in 2017. His emphasis was on mechanical circulatory support and thoracic organ transplantation, under the supervision of Prof. A. Haverich. The same year, he was appointed co-director of cardiac transplantation at the same school. Since 2019, Dr. Rojas expanded his experience by joining the Heart and Diabetes Centre NRW in Bad Oeynhausen, serving as a staff cardiac surgeon under Prof. J. Gummert's direction. His work mainly centered on adult cardiac surgery, MCS, and cardiac transplantation. Since 2021, he has been an esteemed faculty member at Hannover Medical School. His sphere of influence further extended in 2022 when he became a visiting professor at the University of Valparaiso in Chile. Sebastian's clinical and research pursuits encompass cardiac stem cell therapy, ex vivo organ perfusion, thoracic organ transplantation, and MCS
Dr. A. Lourbopoulos is a Neurologist (Board Certified in 2013) with translational training background. He received his medical training and PhD ("Stem cell transplantation in experimental stroke") in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2009) and conducted post-doctoral basic research and studies in the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research LMU-Munich (since 2013) and Charite Medical School Berlin (2014-2016). Since 2017 he works in a renowned Center for Neurological Diseases in Munich (Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling), focused in vascular stroke and Neurointensive care. His work so far combines translational basic research and clinical activity with emphasis on Stroke and Neuroimmunology. His current research interest remains stroke with focus on neuroimmunology, its remote effects and post-cerebral neuroplasticity. He has been supported by various scholarships and research programs (IKY Fellowship, European Neurological Society Fellowship, Marie-Curie Fellowship, Sanofi Fellowship, Unipharma Grant for Stroke and Sepsis research). He is the inventor of 1 international patent for new drugs. In 2018, he established the Group of Translational Neurology Research (GTNR) in the Department of Pharmacology in Athens Medical School, under the support of Prof. K. Pantos (Director of the Dept.) and the Assoc. Prof. I. Mourouzis. Within this time, he de novo established the complete study suite of the experimental stroke in mice (stroke model, behavioral analysis, microscopy and in vitro studies) and Microscopy/Neuropathology in the Department of Pharmacology.
Anca Mihaela Pantea Stoian, MD, Ph.D., Habil.Associate Professor of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, "UMF Carol Davila," Bucharest, Romania, 0000-0003-0555-526X, Web of Science ID: H-5799-2017. Diabetes, Nutrition, and Metabolic diseases specialist, senior specialist in health food hygiene, resident in nephrology, competence in general ultrasonography. She is involved in scientific work with national and international teams and develops an international scholarship program for Ph.D. students. In Diabetes, she is currently engaged in new therapy and new technology tools screening and diabetes prevention, patient education, technologies in diabetes. She is a member of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, Central European Association of Diabetes(CEDA), Cardiometabolic Academy, Romanian Society of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Romanian Diabetes Federation, Association for Renal Metabolic and Nutrition studies and Vicepresident of National Committee for Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases. She has authored or co-authored 200 papers in national and international peer-reviewed journals and is also Academic Editor for PLOSOne, IntechOpen. (iH=20)
Christodoulos Xinaris is the Head of the Laboratory of Organ Regeneration of the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research. He has also served as Professor at the University of Nicosia’s and St George’s, University of London medical programmes, co-founded a non-governmental organization, and founded and directed a start-up biotech company within the field of regenerative medicine. His research focuses on developing new methodologies for regenerating failing organs by using stem cells and modulating developmental processes.