A Decade of Success: The ICG Celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a Symposium on Cardiovascular Research

 

Last Friday and Saturday, the Institute for Cardiogenetics (ICG) celebrated a significant milestone: its 10th anniversary. The event, held in the form of a symposium, brought together around 80 participants, including both current and former members of the institute. The celebration, which felt almost like a family gathering, marked the accomplishments and advancements in the field of cardiovascular research over the past decade.

The symposium commenced with an opening address by Jeanette, followed by greetings from the president of the University of Lübeck and virtual greetings from long standing collaborators and friends from all around the world.

The event featured a series of talks that delved into the past, present, and future of cardiovascular research.

Members of the ICG showcased their fascinating projects in a series of flash talks. These presentations highlighted the innovative research being carried out at the institute, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in the field. Two particularly engaging talks were given by Zouhair and Tobias, both from the ICG, who shared insights into future projects at the institute with a strong focus on translation.

One of the standout presentations was from Sek Kathiresan of Verve Therapeutics, who reported on a groundbreaking therapy approach for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The promising treatment strategy captivated the audience and demonstrated the potential for significant advancements in cardiovascular health.

Minna Kaikkonen-Määttä, discussed the future of cardiovascular genomics and how new technologies and discoveries would shape the field in the years to come. Heri Schunkert provided insights into the lessons learned from 15 years of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), underlining the critical role these studies have played in cardiovascular research.

To ensure a balanced mix of education and entertainment, the evening program featured a buffet and a magician who managed to instill a sense of wonder in the typically analytical-minded scientists. This lighthearted addition to the program allowed attendees to relax and connect with one another in a more informal setting.

In conclusion, the ICG's 10th-anniversary symposium proved to be a resounding success, highlighting the strides made in cardiovascular research over the past decade. It was an opportunity for the ICG community to come together, share ideas, and reflect on the progress made. As the institute looks ahead to the next decade, it aims to continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and groundbreaking discoveries in the field of cardiovascular research, with an emphasis on translating these discoveries into real-world applications.