1. Student Catalogue
  2. Challenges and innovative approaches in cardio-metabolic disease

Challenges and innovative approaches in cardio-metabolic disease

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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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)  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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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. The course will cover novel pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic approaches related to cardiac dysfunction, heart failure and metabolic disease expanding from basic research to clinical practice and using innovative ways of teaching and learning.
Application Deadline
Virtual Part starting date 2024-02-12
Virtual Part closing date 2024-05-16
Total student workload 150
Specific field of studies Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases
Pre-requisite for selection CV Motivation Letter Level of English (According to CEFR)
Academic pre-requisites for applicants '- Bachelor in Health Sciences (Medicine, Biology, Pharmaceutics etc) - Participation in a MsC program or running PhD related to cardiovascular and metabolic disease - English level B2-C1 - Computer literacy
Physical Part starting date 2024-06-03
Physical Part Description Physical Meeting Program 1.     Cardiovascular diseases related to inflammation and fibrosis  (3 June 2024) Lecture Theater sessions ·        9.00-10.00 Esteban Gurzov (ULB), Title: Dysfunctional signal transduction in inflammation and fibrosis ·        10.00-11.00 Dennis Cokkinos (BRFAA) Title Degenerative aortic stenosis. Is it preventable or reversible? A translational approach Coffee Break ·        11.30-12.15 Students Presentation ·        12.15-13.15 Simulation Session 1 (UAM): Cell Energetics and Metabolic Flux Analyzer  Moderator: Oscar Lorenzo González   Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 ·        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 Ernesto Maddaloni (SUR) Title: Vascular damage in adult-onset autoimmune diabetes ·        10.00-11.00 Gratiela Gradisteanu (UB) Title: Current trends in bioengineering for diabetes Coffee Break ·        11.30-12.15 Students Presentation   ·        12.15-13.15 Simulation Session 2 (SUR): Clinical evaluation of endothelial dysfunction and damage Moderator: Ernesto Maddaloni   Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 ·        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 Concha Peiró (UAM), Title: Angiotensin-(1-7): the protective branch of the renin-angiotensin as a vascular anti-ageing target ·                    10.00-11.00 Nicolas Baeyens (ULB), Title: Tissue Transparization and volumetric imaging: new technical approaches to investigate cardiovascular disorders Coffee Break ·       11.30-12.15 Students Presentation ·          12.15-13.15 Simulation Session 3 (ULB) Volumetric Microscopic Imaging, Moderator: Nicolas Baeyens   Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 ·        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 : Oscar Lorenzo González (UAM), Title: Plasma biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac failure ·        10.00-11.00 Iordanis Mourouzis (NKUA), Title: Triiodothyronine as a novel therapeutic approach for repair/regeneration after myocardial infarction Coffee Break ·        11.30-12.15 Christodoulos Xinaris (Mario Negri, Italy), Title: Modulating Thyroid Hormone Signaling to regenerate Diabetic organs ·        12.15-13.00  Students Presentation   Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 ·        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  Themistoklis Thamogeorgakis (Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center), Title: Current technique of cardiac allograft procurement   ·        10.00-11.00 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 Constantinos Pantos (NKUA), Title: Role of Thyroid hormone in Donor Heart Preservation and Repair under Machine Normothermic Perfusion ·        12.15-13.00 Evaluation   Hands/on sessions 14.30-17.30 ·        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. 1.     Clinical evaluation of endothelial dysfunction (flow mediated-dilation) and damage (IMT measurement, atherosclerotic plaque evaluation)  2.     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    3.     Volumetric Microscopic Imaging  
Physical Part closing date 2024-06-07
Language level required B2
Field of studies related to the course Medicine and Health
Course location ATHENS, GREECE
Course language English