Master s programme in Cardiovascular Research

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1 Master s programme in Cardiovascular Research Knowledge makes us better

2 Engage in translational and integrated research for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases Knowledge makes us better

3 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. This research Master s programme focuses on research questions aimed at improving cardiac function in heart failure and improving vascular function in diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Cardiovascular research is interdisciplinary by nature and flourishes through close collaboration between clinical researchers and basic scientists. Medical interventions require background knowledge of physiology, molecular cell biology, pathology and pharmacology as well as knowledge of the design of clinical trials and epidemiology. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme requires out-of-the-box thinking and basic laboratory skills, combined with the ability to communicate clearly with other scientists. During the courses and internships, students intellectual attitude will be developed to the level needed to unravel the complex pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease, their clinical relevance and to find new therapeutic strategies, in vitro, in animals and patients. 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 the myocardium, consisting of left ventricular dilation and hypertrophy, with depressed global contractility. Physical exercise may promote, via as yet unknown mechanisms, beneficial remodelling similar to the way it improves cardiac performance in athletes. Why do arteries become ill? In metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, and in cases of hypertension the structure of arteries can become seriously affected. The inner layer of the vessel becomes atherosclerotic through an interplay of mechanical forces exerted by the flow of blood, metabolic factors, inflammation and immune reactions. Our research studies the role of the endothelium in vascular remodelling and we test novel ideas on cause and treatment by making use of highly advanced clinical imaging techniques. 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

4 Integrative, Clinical and pre-clinical research disease-driven, Clinicians and basic scientists join innovative their efforts in research and in Cardiovascular teaching the next generation of Research at scientists. This is a real community VU University of learners covering the spectrum Amsterdam 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. 4 - VU medisch centrum 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.

5 Cardiovascular research is more than putting test tubes in sophisticated machines; it involves measuring the motion of life cells, of pressure and flow in the whole heart and in other vital organs, and of the blood stream in arteries, capillaries and venules all over the body. Dr Ger Stienen, Professor in Human Physiology, VUmc Gain outstanding Our programme will equip you with: academic An understanding of skills and the cardiovascular research concepts intellectual within the context of the spirit to excel in biomedical and life sciences. cardiovascular Both heart failure and stroke research. 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 normal cardiac function, as well as cardiac dysfunction and the development of heart failure. This includes basic information regarding anatomy, physiology and the biophysics of heart and circulation and of the role of inflammation, diabetes and hyperhomocysteinaemia in vascular disease. 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

6 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

7 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

8 If you would like to know more If you would like to know more Please visit 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 MB Amsterdam The Netherlands T +31 (0) F +31 (0) E cvrmaster@vumc.nl For general information about VU University Amsterdam Please phone us at +31 (0) (Monday Friday, 9:00 to 17:00). You may also us at study@vu.nl. Read more about VU University Amsterdam at No rights may be derived from the contents of this brochure. Publication: Departement Dienst Communicatie of Marketing Vrije & Communication Universiteit. VU University Amsterdam. Photo cover: and Hollandse page 4: Departement hoogte, XXXX. of Communication VUmc / Daan van Eijndhoven. Knowledge makes us better