Aims

The first and major goal of the SFB 688 is to investigate the role of cardiovascular cell-cell interactions for the pathogenesis, prevention and future treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke and diseases associated with type 2 Diabetes mellitus, represent a major medical need. Collectively, they represent the number one cause of death with an ever increasing socio-economic financial burden in both Western and developing countries. Our current lack of understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms is reflected in the paucity of our therapeutic approaches, which primarily treat symptoms of diseases rather than their causes. Moreover, patients at risk are identified with poor precision and the individual treatment efficacy cannot be well monitored at present. World-wide, researchers therefore aim at identifying the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of cardiovascular diseases in order to identify patients at risk – ideally before cardiovascular symptoms become apparent – and subsequently to treat those patients to prevent disease outbreak or progression with unprecedented precision. The SFB 688 wishes to contribute in this area of biomedical research.

The second major goal of the SFB 688 is to recruit / educate the best medical / biomedical students and young investigators for / within this line of research. The SFB 688 will therefore continue, expand and develop programs for the recruitment and training of both medical and basic science and/or clinically oriented students, young graduates and investigators. This also includes the development and support of international collaborations.