The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved the third funding phase for the Collaborative Research Center/Transregio 219 “Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Disease in Chronic Kidney Disease.” The collaboration between RWTH Aachen University, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, and Saarland University can thus continue for another four years.
SFB/TRR 219 investigates the fundamental mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases in chronic kidney disease, both in preclinical models and in clinical studies. The goal is to identify new biomarkers and develop innovative therapeutic approaches that will benefit patients in the long term. A key focus of the new funding period is on increasing the translation of the findings into clinical practice in order to establish new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Joachim Jankowski, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR) at Unikinik RWTH Aachen and spokesperson for the consortium, emphasizes the significance of the renewed funding: “We are proud that the DFG has recognized the major successes achieved during the first two funding periods of SFB/TRR 219. This decision now enables us to consistently advance our scientific research toward translation.”
By pooling expertise from nephrology, cardiology, immunology, molecular biology, and systems medicine, SFB/TRR 219 makes a decisive contribution to understanding complex disease processes and developing innovative treatment strategies. The continuation of the consortium also strengthens interdisciplinary networking and the support of early-career researchers at both locations.
In addition, the SFB/TRR 219 provides an important platform for exchange between basic research and clinical application, which accelerates the development of patient-centered solutions. The findings can not only improve the prognosis for patients with chronic kidney disease but also provide new avenues for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The third funding period thus marks another milestone in the translation of innovative research findings into clinical practice.
