MINDSHIFT · Mechanistic Integration of vascular aND endocrine pathways for Subtyping Hypertension: an Innovative network approach for Future generation research Training

Mechanistic Integration of vascular aND endocrine pathways for Subtyping Hypertension: an Innovative network approach for Future generation research Training

Hypertension is the key determinant of cardiovascular disease and the No.1 ‘silent killer’ worldwide. Despite progress in understanding the causes of hypertension and improvements in clinical management, >85 million people in Europe suffer from cardiovascular disease, costing the EU €210 billion/year. Currently, there is a crucial gap in understanding the dynamic interactions between vascular and endocrine pathways in hypertension. Such knowledge would facilitate redefinition of hypertension subtypes to improve current prevention and treatment. The overall aim of MINDSHIFT is to improve vascular health management by redefining hypertension subtypes, based on the network dynamics between vascular and endocrine systems. The commensurate specific research objectives were as follows: • To elucidate inflammatory, metabolic, and fibrotic pathways in vascular pathophysiology of hypertension; • To characterise (the dynamics of) vascular influences on endocrine derangements; • To elucidate the mechanistic role of key regulatory endocrine pathways in hypertension; • To characterise (the dynamics of) endocrine influences on micro- and macrovascular dysfunction; • To establish a multi-scale and integrative framework to capture, evaluate, and exploit the new understandings. MINDSHIFT-ITN has fully embraced its network approach, as planned and whilst developing, through the following coherent elements and actions: • Vascular and Endocrine research had a 50-50% balanced contribution. • Periodic online and in-person MINDSHIFT meetings, as well as dedicated sessions at conferences in the cardiovascular/hypertension field, facilitated creative interactions between project teams. • Joint/Double doctorates and related secondments were set up to facilitate new collaboration across the vascular and endocrine research fields. • MINDSHIFT created a framework for the mechanistic integration of knowledge by promoting the collaborative and collective creative capacity of its community of researchers. • The professional training track of the ESRs ran in parallel with a supervisors’ track, with events and training, to develop the ITN as a sustainable organization. • A first-ever formal accreditation by The Recess College for “Partnership Working in Science Networks”, developed through MINDSHIFT but applicable to doctoral training networks. • At present, a new core group is forming and planning next initiatives to further support the MINDSHIFT ‘Hypertension School’ in the wider science network.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз