News

Today, we welcomed students to our institute as part of Boys’ & Girls’ Day. Under the theme “Tracing the Secrets of Genes”, participants explored the journey from patient care to genetic analysis, gaining hands-on experience in DNA isolation, cell culture, and microscopy, along with insights into cardiovascular research. A big thank you to our team for sharing their expertise and inspiring the next generation of scientists!

The Annual Meeting of the German Cardiac Society (DGK) 2026 in Mannheim has come to a close, and we look back on a great few days of science, exchange, and collaboration. Our team contributed with multiple presentations covering vascular biology, inflammation, and cardiovascular genetics, highlighting our ongoing efforts to connect basic research with clinical questions. Beyond the sessions, DGK was a valuable opportunity to engage with colleagues, share ideas, and build new connections. Thank you to everyone who joined the discussions, and we are already looking forward to the next DGK!

Excited to share that the paper from our group entitled: Deficiency of ZC3HC1 modulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype and increases neointima formation, has been accepted in ATVB! Stay tuned for the final publication.

Deficiency of ZC3HC1 modulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype and increases neointima formation | bioRxiv

We are delighted to announce that our MLS student, Laura Kitzmann, who is currently completing her bachelor’s thesis at our Institute in the research group of Dr. Jorge Enrique Duque Escobar, has been awarded a Young DGK Travel Grant by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie – Herz- und Kreislaufforschung e.V.

This grant will enable her to attend her first scientific congress, the DGK Annual Meeting, which will take place in Mannheim from April 8–11, 2026. We are happy to travel with you, Laura! DGK Travel Team: Nadine Odenthal, Dr. Jorge Enrique Duque Escobar, Teng Tong, Olga Schweigert, Tobias Reinberger, Pashmina Wiqar, Amer Ghalawinji, PhD.

#dgk #cardiogenetics #earlycareerscientists | Institute for Cardiogenetics | University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH)

We are pleased to share that Tristan Gritzka, MD doctoral student at our Institute, was awarded the 𝐃𝐨𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 at the Dresdner Herz-Kreislauf-Tage (DHKT), held from January 23–25, 2026. His doctoral research focuses on the molecular role of PHACTR1 in vascular function and atherosclerosis and is supervised by Prof. Dr. Tanja Zeller and Dr. Olga Schweigert Congratulations to Tristan, and we wish him a successful doctoral journey!

🎓 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐇𝐊𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 We are pleased to share that Tristan Gritzka, MD doctoral student at our Institute, was awarded the… | Institute for Cardiogenetics | University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH)

Why do young people without classic risk factors suffer strokes or heart attacks? A new research group funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) aims to answer this critical question.

The research unit FOR 5930, led by the University of Lübeck, brings together scientists from Lübeck, Berlin, and Kiel to systematically investigate, for the first time, how misdirected antibodies can trigger inflammation in blood vessels and thereby cause severe vascular diseases. The DFG is funding the four-year project with approximately €6.2 million.

The institute is actively involved in these interdisciplinary research activities through its collaboration with the research group led by Prof. G. Riemekasten. The newly established research group, titled “Autoantibodies Against G Protein–Coupled Receptors as Drivers of Vascular Diseases (AbsInVasc)”, focuses on understanding the development of pathogenic autoantibodies that specifically target G protein–coupled receptors.

A key component of the research is Project P1, led by PD Dr. Aherrahrou, which examines the role of CXCR3/4 expression and its interaction with autoantibodies in atherosclerosis. By uncovering these molecular mechanisms, the researchers hope to identify new pathways that explain vascular disease in patients without traditional risk profiles and ultimately contribute to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

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