Download Master`s programme in Cardiovascular Research

Master’s programme in
Cardiovascular Research
www.vu.nl/programmes
Knowledge makes us better
Engage in translational
and integrated research
for the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment
of cardiovascular
diseases
Knowledge makes us better
The challenge
of cardiovascular
medicine
A final cure for heart failure?
The ability of the heart to relax is
equally as important as its ability to
contract, since it must adequately
fill with blood in order to function
properly. Some patients develop a
compensatory form of heart disease
which allows then to continue to
function in relative health whereas others develop
progressive cardiac failure. Differences in myocardial
growth, fibrosis and sarcomeric disarray may each
explain part of the cardiac dysfunction. Knowing
whether these alterations are the cause or the effect
of the disease process is the key to understanding the
progression of the disease.
Myocardial infarction: is exercise beneficial?
One of the principal risk factors for the development
of heart failure in humans is myocardial infarction.
Myocardial infarction is followed by remodelling of
This research Master’s programme focuses on research
the myocardium, consisting of left ventricular dilation
questions aimed at improving cardiac function in heart
and hypertrophy, with depressed global contractility.
failure and improving vascular function in diseases such as
Physical exercise may promote, via as yet unknown
diabetes and obesity. Cardiovascular research is interdisci-
mechanisms, beneficial remodelling similar to the way
plinary by nature and flourishes through close collaboration
it improves cardiac performance in athletes.
between clinical researchers and basic scientists. Medical
interventions require background knowledge of physiology,
Why do arteries become ill?
molecular cell biology, pathology and pharmacology as
In metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity,
well as knowledge of the design of clinical trials and epi-
and in cases of hypertension the structure of arteries
demiology. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme
can become seriously affected. The inner layer of the
requires out-of-the-box thinking and basic laboratory skills,
vessel becomes atherosclerotic through an interplay
combined with the ability to communicate clearly with other
of mechanical forces exerted by the flow of blood,
scientists. During the courses and internships, students’
metabolic factors, inflammation and immune reactions.
intellectual attitude will be developed to the level needed
Our research studies the role of the endothelium in
to unravel the complex pathophysiological mechanisms
vascular remodelling and we test novel ideas on cause
underlying cardiovascular disease, their clinical relevance
and treatment by making use of highly advanced
and to find new therapeutic strategies, in vitro, in animals
clinical imaging techniques.
and patients.
How to supply blood to artificial organs?
A proper design and regulation of the blood vessel
network is crucial for a sufficient supply of oxygen
and nutrients to all organs, including the heart,
both when at rest and during increased activity.
Limited blood supply and inflammation are potent
stimulators for angiogenesis and collateral formation.
Neovascularisation is therefore studied in the heart and
extremeties of patients and in well-controlled tissue
culture models. Important applications are found in
artificial organs obtained by tissue engineering.
Master’s programme in Cardiovascular Research - 3
Integrative,
disease-driven,
innovative
Cardiovascular
Research at
VU University
Amsterdam
Clinical and pre-clinical research
Clinicians and basic scientists join
their efforts in research and in
teaching the next generation of
scientists. This is a real community
of learners covering the spectrum
from novice to expert. The research
projects take different approaches
and link the behaviour of molecules, cells and organs
with the manifestation of disease in the human body
and in society as a whole.
Cardiovascular diseases are the true focus of this
research Master’s programme
Scientific curiosity is the motor driving our ambitious
and innovative research, while the fuel is provided by
our desire to address and rectify the enormous burden
cardiovascular diseases place on our patients. A key
theme in this Master’s programme is therefore the integral
understanding of each individual patient’s history.
From Amsterdam to Zaragoza: take the highway
Innovative techniques are the way of the future and they
make it possible to make scientific breakthroughs at top
speed. Rigorous testing of new ideas and the development
of novel techniques are the essential ingredients to
guarantee scientific innovation. We strongly promote and
facilitate the development of these skills, since they are the
corner stones for a scientific career.
VU University Medical Center excels in
Cardiovascular Research
At VU University Medical Center we have identified
cardiovascular research as one of our key research areas
and we have concentrated our efforts in a single institute
at the forefront of national and international cardiovascular
research. The Institute for Cardiovascular Research at
VU University Amsterdam has close links with national
research centres like Sanquin and TNO Quality of Life. The
institute has two main research themes: improving cardiac
function in heart failure and improving vascular function
in metabolic diseases. These topics are studied by 70
project leaders and 100 researchers from 19 departments
at VUmc. The Master’s programme is based on the
research they conduct at the institute. The interaction
between students and teachers is important, and after
some study of the basic principles involved the students
will be trained to systematically discuss the boundaries of
available knowledge. Students learn how to write scientific
articles and to defend their views and findings. They
learn to discuss the work of other researchers and debate
points that require further study. After graduation you will
be ready for basic or clinical research on cardiovascular
subjects in any laboratory in the world.
4 - VU medisch centrum
Gain outstanding
academic
skills and the
intellectual
spirit to excel in
cardiovascular
research.
Our programme will equip you with:
• An understanding of
cardiovascular research concepts
within the context of the
biomedical and life sciences.
Both heart failure and stroke
are multi-organ manifestations,
since hypertension may cause lung
oedema, leading to shortness of breath and muscle
fatigue, while vascular dysfunction is a many-headed
dragon, usually not restricted to a single organ such
as the brain. In most cases however, the failing organ
function is caused by inadequate signal transduction
inside individual cells and/or mutated proteins giving
rise to poisonous polypeptides or a lack of specific
functioning protein.
•Knowledge of state of the art techniques and
methodology applied in cardiovascular research.
Based on a solid biomedical background, you will
acquire knowledge of the fundamental aspects of
“Cardiovascular research is more than putting test tubes in
normal cardiac function, as well as cardiac dysfunction
sophisticated machines; it involves measuring the motion
and the development of heart failure. This includes
of life cells, of pressure and flow in the whole heart and in
basic information regarding anatomy, physiology and
other vital organs, and of the blood stream in arteries, capil-
the biophysics of heart and circulation and of the role of
laries and venules all over the body.”
inflammation, diabetes and hyperhomocysteinaemia in
vascular disease.
Dr Ger Stienen, Professor in Human Physiology, VUmc
• Experience in reading the relevant cardiovascular
literature and an understanding of the societal and
social aspects of cardiovascular research.
Important courses include:
• Pathophysiology of heart and circulation
• Clinical and biophysical aspects of heart and
circulation
• Vascular function and metabolic diseases
• Remodelling of the circulatory system
• Imaging of myocardial function
• Life cell imaging
• Cardiac diagnostics
• Molecular pathology
• Genome and proteome analysis
Master’s programme in Cardiovascular Research - 5
Your programme in a nutshell
The cardiovascular research Master’s is a two-year
programme (120 credits) providing students with
tremendous opportunities to fulfil their personal
ambitions. The programme is research-oriented
and has a multidisciplinary character. Students
are trained in state-of-the-art techniques in
cardiovascular research and diagnosis and therapy.
This Master’s programme aims to provide the
general background for clinically oriented research.
It offers a number of cardiovascular core courses to
prepare for and complement the practical training
in original major and minor research projects. The
major research projects are carried out at VU Medical
Center, in affiliated hospitals, or in the research units
of our partners in industry and government. Staff
members of the Institute for Cardiovascular Research
supervise these research projects. The Institute for
Cardiovascular Research is involved in a number of
international networks, facilitating internships in
Europe or further afield.
A selected group of students will be offered the
opportunity to take extra advanced courses with the
added duty of taking on a research placement in a
renowned research centre abroad. These programmes
are known as topmasters in the Dutch system.
Compulsory courses:
•Pathophysiology of heart and circulation (6 credits)
•Clinical and biophysical aspects of heart and
circulation (6 credits)
•Vascular function and metabolic diseases (6 credits)
•Remodelling of the circulatory system (6 credits)
•Biostatistics (3 credits)
•Scientific writing and presenting in English (3 credits)
Research projects:
Minor research project (21 credits), Major research
project (42 credits) and literature project (9 credits).
Optional courses:
You are free to choose from a range of courses (up
to 18 credits). For instance: Cardiac diagnostics,
Genome analysis, Proteomics analysis, Molecular
pathology, Life cell imaging, Biostatistics and
Clinical epidemiology, Ethical dimensions of
medical research on human subjects, Working with
radioactivity, Animal experimentation and a basic
course in teaching.
6 - VU medisch centrum
A job as…
a researcher,
a consultant,
a policy-maker
A Master’s degree in Cardiovascular
Research will enable you to work in
the field of Cardiovascular Research
at universities in the Netherlands
and abroad, in research institutes
such as Sanquin, Amsterdam and
TNO Quality of Life, Leiden, and
pharmaceutical or biotech companies
all over the world. There is a rising
demand for scientists who can apply basic research to
the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
The majority of Cardiovascular Research Masters
graduates (75%) will rapidly join an international
PhD programme. Other options include further
specialisation in medical or clinical programmes and
management.
Your profile
Do you have a biomedical background and an interest
in working in a multidisciplinary environment in a
team of highly educated colleagues? Do you enjoy
working with people who dare to challenge each other
in order to get the best results and to give top-notch
presentations to the scientific and clinical world? If
so, the Cardiovascular Research Master’s programme
was made for you. Perhaps you have a background in
biochemistry or biophysics and you want to apply your
knowledge to cardiovascular research. This Master’s
programme offers challenges in the areas of improving
imaging techniques for early diagnosis and followup care in the event of cardiac diseases. If you have a
medical background and an interest in translational
cardiovascular research, this Master’s programme can
offer you a highly stimulating environment in which to
expand your knowledge and advance your skills and
opportunities for future cooperation from researcher to
practitioner.
Prerequisites
All students with a Bachelor’s degree must take an exam
on their basic knowledge of biology and physiology in
order to join this research Master’s programme. English
language skills must meet VU University Amsterdam’s
standard requirements for Master’s programmes (see
website for details and further information).
Master’s programme in Cardiovascular Research - 7
If you would like to know more
If you would like to know more
Please visit www.vu.nl/programmes for:
•Detailed programme information
•Admission requirements
•Information on application and registration
•Career perspectives
Or contact the faculty for more information about the programme:
VU University Medical Center
Institute for Cardiovascular Research
Master’s programme in Cardiovascular Research
Van der Boechorststraat 7
PO Box 7057
1007 MB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
T +31 (0)20 444 8111
F +31 (0)20 444 8255
E [email protected]
For general information about VU University Amsterdam
Please phone us at +31 (0)20 598 5000 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 to 17:00).
You may also e-mail us at [email protected]. Read more about VU University
Amsterdam at www.vu.nl.
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Knowledge makes us better