Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG)

 

Joint Projects Funded by the DFG

A researcher looking through a microscope Copyright: © med. Fakultät  

  • TRR 219 – Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Complications in Chronic Kidney Diseases
    Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibit a massively increased risk for cardiovascular events. Alterations in the circulation as well as in the myocardium crucially contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from CKD. However, the molecular mechanisms as well as the mediators involved are largely unexplored. With collaborative and translational research in the CRC, we are pursuing an overall long-term goal to gain understanding of the renal and cardiovascular interactions. This may contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies to decrease cardiovascular risk in CKD patients.
    Speaker: Professor Dr. Joachim Jankowski

  • FOR 2591 – Severity Assessment in Animal-Based Research

    Animal-based research has to adhere to the 3R principle (replace, refine, reduce), not only with regard to ethical justification of animal use but also to ensure quality in terms of standardization. Here, the assessment of severity experienced by animals has become a prerequisite for project authorization in the EU (2010/63/EU). The highly interdisciplinary consortium aims at the identification of objective, classifiable, and standardized severity assessment parameters in animal research models. Therefore, existing methods will be validated, refined and correlated with new minimally- and non-invasive surveillance techniques.
    Speaker: Professor Dr. René Tolba

  • SPP 2014 – Towards an Implantable Lung
    The aim of this DFG priority program is to find solutions to the problems currently standing in the way of the long-term use and implantation of a lung support system through coordinated basic research. For example, the program will focus on topics such as the improved biocompatibility of foreign surfaces, strategies for new anticoagulation regimes, approaches to optimizing gas and blood flow while taking individual patient needs into account, and solutions for miniaturizing the systems.
    Coordinator: Professor Dr. Rolf Rossaint

  • DFG PAK 961 „Biohybrid Implant Maturation“
    The network of physicians, biologists, engineers and material scientists from four faculties of RWTH Aachen University researches the maturation behavior of artificial heart valves with the body's own cells and tissue in the bioreactor, with the goal of making perfectly biocompatible and permanently functional heart valves available.
    Speaker: Professor Dr. Thomas Schmitz-Rode