Cardiopulmonary System (Heart/Lungs)

Coordinators

Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Werner Seeger
Vice spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Friedrich Grimminger

Abstract of Focus Area

Since around 1985, JLU has been researching diseases of the lungs and heart and developing innovative treatment options on the basis of excellent basic research. In cooperation with the University of Frankfurt and the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, JLU has a leading international position in both lung and cardiovascular research, which is reflected in excellent publications, new therapeutic procedures and the innovative, joint, permanent institute of the three partners.

Involved Disciplines

Cardiology and cardiovascular physiology, cardiovascular and pulmonary vascular research, genetics and epigenetics, lung development, pharmacology, hypoxia and redox signaling pathways, altitude effects, emphysema, cellular signals and mitochondria, biochemistry, RNA biology, acute lung injury and intensive care medicine, bioinformatics, research/therapeutic options for pulmonary hypertension, biobanks

External Cooperation Partners

In Germany:

• Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main: Prof. Dr. Stefanie Dimmeler
• Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim: Prof. Dr. Thomas Braun
• German Center for Lung Research(DZL): Prof. Dr. Werner Seeger, Dr. Christian Kalberlah

International:

• Imperial College London, UK: Prof. Martin Wilkins, Prof. Lan Zhao
• University of Tibet - High Altitude Research Laboratory, CHN: Prof. Chaoying Cui, M.Sc.
• Biomedicine Research Institute Buenos Aires, ARG: Dr. Mareike Gierhardt

Structures and Programs for Supporting Early Career Researchers

• Gießener Graduiertenzentrum Lebenswissenschaften (GGL), Sektion „Heart, Lung and Blood Vessels”
• Postdoc Career and Mentoring Office (PCMO)
• UGMLC School
• Graduate School Molecular Biology and Medicine of the Lung (MBML)
• International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS)
• Akademie des Exzellenzclusters CPI (CPI Academy)
• JLU CAREER (Clinician Scientist Program in Biomedical Research)
• Prägraduiertenkolleg Medizin
• Fachbereichsinterne Nachwuchsprogramme des FB 11 Medizin

Most significant scientific achievements since 2018

Structural elements:

• 2020: Start of the delevopment phase of the Institute of Lung Health (federal and state funding)
• 2019: Start of funding for EXC 2026 „Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI)“ as part of the Excellence Strategy, previously 12 years of funding for EXC 147 ECCPS („Excellence Cluster Cardiopulmonary System“)

External funds / awards

• 2020: Successful assessment and positive funding decision for the SFB 1213 „Pulmonary Hypertension and Cor pulmonale“
• 2020: Successful acquisition of an EU joint program on rare interstitial lung diseases (RARE-ILD)
• 2019: Successful review and positive funding decision for the clinical research group „Virus-Induced Lung Injury“
• 2018: Successful assessment and positive funding decision for the SFB/TRR 84 "Congenital immunity of the lung" (cooperation with Charité Berlin)