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A HEART FOR SCIENCE IMPROVEMENT TODAY FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE TOMORROW

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EDITORIAL

SUCCESS THROUGH TEAMWORK THE RISE OF CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH IN ZURICH

The “cardiovascular research” laboratory was first founded by Prof. Thomas F. Lüscher in the early nineties, at the University & University Hospital of Basel in Switzerland. In those days, Prof. Lüscher had just returned from an intensive training period in cardio­ vascular research at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation in Rochester, Mn., USA, under the supervision of Prof. Paul M. Vanhoutte.

Soon after becoming the Director of the cardiovascular research laboratory, Prof. Lüscher realised that the financial support obtained by the University was not adequate to sustain the growing costs of research; thus, in 1994 he established the “Foundation for Cardiovascular Research” with the goal of promoting cardiovascular research in Switzerland and the career of young talented scientists.

In 1993, the laboratory of cardiovascular research moved from the University of Basel to the University of Bern where the research activities intensified, and the reputation of the research laboratory begun reaching outside the Swiss borders. Indeed, at this stage the number of scientific citations achieved by the laboratory already exceeded 1’000.

In 1996, the – by then well established – cardiovascular research laboratory moved to the University of Zurich where Prof. Lüscher became Director of Cardiology. Here, the laboratory was setup at the Institute of Physiology situated in the University Campus of Irchel. During this phase, the laboratory grew significantly and by 2002 it counted over 30 people from several countries worldwide. During these years, the laboratory of cardiovascular research became an internationally recognised reference institu­ tion in the field of cardiovascular research and accordingly, was awarded several prestigious international research grants and awards (see pages 14 –15) which were essential to increase further the scientific production and offer to many of its members diverse career opportunities. Indeed, numerous members of the laboratory went on to becoming Professors in prominent Universities across the globe from Japan to India, United States as well as Europe and Switzerland (see pages 16 –17).

In 2014, the laboratory of cardiovascular research made an important leap forward by moving out of the Institute of Physiology and becoming an independent research center of the University of Zurich named “Center for Molecular Cardiology” (CMC). The CMC was established at the newly built University of Zurich’s campus in Schlieren and during this phase, Prof. Giovanni G. Camici took over the directorship of the center with Prof. Lüscher as Chairman. Here the CMC quickly established itself as a “state of the art” research facility with modern equipment for molecular, cellular as well as cardiovascular translational research.

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Research team at the Center for Molecular Cardiology with 10 main research focus groups including 26 research fellows.

Currently, the CMC, led by Prof. Camici and Prof. Lüscher, stands on a research area of over 600 m² and counts 10 research groups with specific focuses spanning across the wide spectrum of key topics in cardiovascular research. Owing to the outstand­ ing contribution made by the scientists working at the CMC over the last decades, knowledge of the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disorders has ­increased considerably and quality of health care in the field has improved.

We wish you an enjoyable time as you peruse this brochure focusing on cardio­ vascular research which indeed, is a matter very close to our hearts. We want to take you along this exciting journey describing our activities for the benefit of patients with heart disease.

Prof. Dr. Thomas F. Lüscher President Zurich Heart House

Prof. Dr. Giovanni G. Camici Director Center for Molecular Cardiology

RESEARCH

HOME OF SCIENCE RESEARCH FOCUS ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Despite the immense scientific advances made over the last decades, cardiovascu­ lar disease (CVD) remains the principal single cause of death worldwide. Further­ more, aging represents a key risk factor for the development of CVD; thus, with the ­increasing life expectancy observed globally, its incidence is expected to rise even ­further. In light of the above, improving our understanding of CVD and how it d ­ evelops remains a crucial goal to develop new medications and treatment ­methods to im­ prove ­patient’s care.

The central concept underlying the research activities carried out at the Center for Molecular Cardiology, stems from the notion that blood vessels represent a key link between our organism and the surrounding environment. Indeed, dysfunction of blood vessels irrigating all vital organs is a crucial early step in the development of CVD. In line with the above, CVD is usually referred to as a number of conditions where the wall of blood vessels thickens as the result of an accumulation of fatty materials.

This condition is known as atherosclerosis and its lethal complications include stroke and heart attack. Research activities at the CMC are aimed at understanding how environmental and hereditary factors cause dysfunction of blood vessels and even­ tually CVD.

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To this end, experimental models are used to mimic clinical scenarios such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, etc.; in these settings, molecular mechanisms un­ derlying the disease are investigated at different trans­ lational l­evels including experiments on cells as well as specimens from patients. The goal of the research is then to identify molecular mediators to be assessed as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of different conditions. State of the art techniques such as single cell analysis, high throughput transcriptomics and proteom­ ics are routinely applied; furthermore, to increase the translational perspectives of the data obtained several routine clinical examinations such as electrocardiogram, echo, etc., are performed using high-tech laboratory equipment. Beside the identification of novel poten­ tial therapeutic target, the expertise of the CMC is also instru­mental for better characterising the properties of existing medications. ­Indeed, the CMC has often assist­ ed leading pharmaceutical industries in assessing unex­ plored side-effects and/or discovering novel indications for different diseases for marketed medicaments. Some notable examples include statins, platelet inhibitors, an­ ticoagulants and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

51 companies at the Bio-Technopark Schlieren A vibrant Biotech hub providing multiple opportunities for academic research and collaborations.

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Atherosclerosis Vascular aging/stroke Platelet biology Prof. Christian M. Matter

CV epigenetics

Prof. Giovanni G. Camici Prof. Jürg Hans Beer Prof. Francesco Paneni

Extracellular vesicles

Myocarditis

MAIN RESEARCH LINES Prof. Urs Eriksson

Prof. Giuseppe Vassalli AMB

CV gender medicine

Prof. Cathérine Gebhard

Endothelial dysfunction

Aortic stenosis

Protein misfolding (new group joining in 2020)

PROF

Prof. Felix C. Tanner Dr. Marco Luciani

Prof. Thomas F. Lüscher

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

ONLY WHAT IS PUBLISHED EXISTS THE EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL – THE MEDIUM FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Research is just half the story: “Only what is published exists”. The results of several years of research by the Center for Molecular Cardiology in collaboration with institu­ tions from around the world, are being published in scientific journals that report new ­dis­coveries.

One of the most important organs of publication in the field of cardiovascular med­ icine is the “European Heart Journal”, the official scientific medium of the Euro­pean Society of Cardiology and the most renowned scientific journal in the world for cardio­vascular ­research. Due to the extensive and essential research contributions, the E ­ uropean Heart Journal’s achievements have been impressive: manuscript sub­ missions increased by 15 % (now about 3’600) out of which only the best papers are a ­ ccepted for publication (around 300 manuscripts each year). This has led to a massive rise in the impact factor (the current quality standard for scientific journals) in the past years: from 8.9 in the year 2008 to 24’899 in 2019. More than 5’000 institu­ tions throughout the world subscribe to the European Heart Journal and articles are downloaded from the platform over 10’000’000 times a year.

Total Publications

h-index

Sum of Times Cited

Citing articles

2’999

137

91’207

65’484

Average citations per item

Without self citations

Without self citations

30.41

85’899

64’296

1999

2019

Sum of Times Cited per Year 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 2018

2016

2014

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

1984

1982

0

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INTERVIEW

PASSION FOR SCIENCE INTERVIEW WITH PROF. GIOVANNI G. CAMICI

Prof. Giovanni G. Camici with his research team focusing on vascular aging and stroke.

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You are a native of Italy and graduated in Biology in the UK. Why did you choose to stay in Zurich?

I left Italy and moved to England at the age of 13. After living for 12 years in the UK, my original plan was to return to Italy however while looking for a research institution where I could continue my education, I came across the cardiovascular research center led by Thomas F. Lüscher at the University of Zurich. After visiting Zurich for an interview and meeting Prof Lüscher in person, it was a rather straight forward decision for me; thus, end of 2001 I moved to Zürich. Since then, with the exception of a few years spent travelling back and forth to Fribourg, where I did my PhD, the thought of leaving Zurich never occurred to me.

What is your passion and commitment about academic biomedical research?

The passion for science must be running through the DNA of my family; indeed, from my father’s side 3 generations before him have all been physicians or scientists. I was exposed to cardiology and cardiovascular research ever since I was very young; thus, after graduating in Biology I was quite sure about what I wanted to do in my life. ­Initially I also liked neuroscience very much but after coming to Switzerland and ob­ taining my PhD in cardiovascular Physiology I reverted to my initial passion.

How do you select good research fellows?

Are there any preferences for countries of origin or regions in the world?

This is a challenging and unpredictable task! Personally, I have worked with fellows from all over the world and what I found is that their own passion and determination is the only real predictor of success. We receive hundreds of unsolicited applications every year and what I usually focus on is the cover letter. Those that are short, clear and well structured are usually a good indicator; on the other hand, cover letters that are lengthy and appear as a copy paste work, I tendentially skip.

Do you have an example for a successful translational research project?

Despite of the translational nature of our research, having the opportunity to see a preclinical project turning into clinical practice within a short time is fairly rare. Having said that, some of our projects assessing the pleiotropic effects of different drugs e.g. statins, COX-inhibitors and drugs eluted from coronary stents, have certainly contrib­ uted to the tailored use of some drugs with respect to alternative options within the same class.

Do you care about sustainability of your research projects?

Absolutely yes, especially in the context of animal experimentation.

Tell us about the most exciting moment or project in your academic career.

One of my best memories must be when I won the national prize for cardiovascular biology back in 2007. Next in line is probably my first presentation at the congress of the European Society of Cardiology.

What are your expectations for your research unit in the future?

What will be important for our center is to remain at the forefront of cardiovascular research by performing top-notch timely science and collaborating with the best in­ stitutions worldwide. This is a challenging task since biomedical research is becoming more and more regulated with an incredible amount of effort needed in order to raise sufficient funds and comply with strict regulations. Given our long standing tradition and the talent of our team members, I expect that we will continue influencing the future of cardiovascular medicine for many years to come.

INTERVIEW

SUCCESS STORY AND PIONEERING INTERVIEW WITH PROF. THOMAS F. LÜSCHER

Prof. Thomas F. Lüscher with his research team focusing on endothelial dysfunction.

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What was the attraction to combine two successful careers, as a clinician in interventional cardiology and as a passionate scientist?

To be active in a field which combines manual and intellectual challenges appeared highly attractive to me. Cardiology wants to understand and treat the most impor­ tant diseases of mankind – i.e. those involving the heart and the circulation such as high blood pressure and heart attacks among others – with advice to prevent it with medication, but also procedures to treat it. Furthermore, imaging and at that time the evolving catheter techniques started to provide direct access to the heart to under­ stand its function and treat its problems such as cardiac chest pain and infarction.

Are there persons that inspired you for biomedical research?

Role models are crucial at the beginning of any career; to see what can be achieved.

Paul M. Vanhoutte, at the Mayo Clinic in the 1980ties, was such a role model, ­inspiring, restless, full of ideas and after an important question: How do blood vessels work in health and disease? This was so fundamental a question and so close to heart disease that I followed his example.

As a clinician, Bernard Meier newly elected chairman of cardiology in Bern in the 1990ties, was another role model, a pioneer in interventional cardiology with amazing skills and a resilient mind even in the most difficult situations.

What is the focus of your research projects and how did it develop over time?

The focus has remained the same over three decades: How do blood vessel that nourish all vital organs such as the heart kidney and brain work, and how do they change in function and structure not any disease, but in the disease of mankind to­ day, i.e. heart attacks and stroke. We learned that the inner lining of the blood vessels, the endothelium, is crucial in providing protection against clot formation and vascu­ lar occlusion. If it fails, it allows for the development of vascular disease, initially subtle plaques, later narrow the blood vessel and foster clot formation, eventually leading to heart attacks and stroke.

Over the years, we shifted our efforts from understanding how damage occurs to the question why some individuals against all odds do not get heart attacks and stroke. ­Resilience is the other side of the medal and currently our main research topic. We do hope it will provide not only further insights, but novel remedies for heart disease and stroke.

INTERVIEW

How do you get the financial support for your research projects?

What is the contribution of the University of Zurich?

Research is costly and the costs have increased enormously over the years with ­novel technologies and techniques becoming available. We need the best and most talented young physicians and researchers and we require the most effective tools – and both require substantial financial resources.

The University of Zurich provides the basic resources such as housing, rooms and some equipment – the rest, and this is substantial, requires support by foundations, ­industry collaborations and private donations. The latter was and remains essential as it provides the means to pursue long-term innovative projects that are not yet of inter­ est for institutions or industry. Innovation requires great minds, dedicated researchers and time; the latter is provided by generous donations that do not require tight dead­ lines and immediate reporting but allow to pursue projects over prolonged periods of time to achieve the apparent unachievable.

Tell us about a highlight during your career in academic research.

A highlight in my personal research was the discovery that a fine surface of the blood vessels, i.e. endothelial cells covering the inner surface of the entire circulation, was highly important not only in experimental animals but in humans, was altered in those with disease and could be restored with certain dietary and medical interventions. I realized that what had started as an interest of a few in the 1980ties was a major fac­ tor in heart disease and beyond and worth to be pursued further.

What are the future trends in biomedical research?

Over the last decades, biomedical research continuously increased the complexity of the regulation of genes, epigenetic changes, cells, blood vessels, vital organs and the body at large. The number of pathways and molecules involved is increasingly dif­ ficult to comprehend for a single human brain. Thus, increasingly we will use artificial intelligence to put together the pieces of the puzzle we contribute. Human brains and artificial intelligence will work synergistically towards a better understanding of the growing complexity towards true personalized medicine for patients.

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CITATIONS IN RENOMATED JOURNALS

MAIN RESEARCH TOPICS

43 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AWARDS

36/10 36 SCIENTISTS FROM 10 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

600

m²

STATE OF THE ART RESEARCH FACILITY

10 MILLION DOWNLOADS FROM EHJ PLATFORM

AWARDS

ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDS OF RESEARCHERS

Cardiovascular Biology Prize Swiss Society of Cardiology Giovanni Camici Andreas Grüntzig Lecture on Interventional Cardiology and Silber Medal Annual Meeting of the European Society of Cardiology Thomas F. Lüscher

Research Prize Swiss Society of Hypertension Zhihong Yang Research Prize Swiss Heart Foundation Philipp Kaufmann

Cardiovascular Biology Prize Swiss Society of Cardiology David Kurz Scientific Prize Italian Society of Cardiology Francesco Cosentino Pfizer Award ­Cardiovascular Research Jürg Schwitter

2001 2003 2006 2008

2000 2002 2004 2007

Björn Folkow Award ­European Society of Hypertension Thomas F. Lüscher Research Prize Swiss Society of Hypertension Frank Ruschitzka Cardiovascular Biology Prize Swiss Society of Cardiology Frank Ruschitzka Ake Senning Award Firat Duru Theodor-Nägeli Award for Thrombosis Research Masato Eto and Thomas F. Lüscher

The Khwarizmi ­International Award Islamic Republic of Iran Thomas F. Lüscher

Götz-Prize University of Zurich Frank Ruschitzka

Cardiovascular Biology Prize Swiss Society of Cardiology Roberto Corti

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Best Free Communication AGLA Update Meeting Nicole Bonetti Young Investigator Award in Basic Science European Society of Cardiology Sarah Costantino

Young Investigator Award in Basic Science European Society of Cardiology Sarah Costantino

Kenneth Brown Award for Best Editorial American Society of Nuclear Cardiology Cathérine Gebhard

Research Prize Swiss Society of Cardiology Elena Osto

Young Investigator Award for Thrombosis Research European Society of Cardiology Luca Liberale

Walter and Gertrud Siegenthaler Research Grant Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich Ardan Saguner Götz-Prize Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich Jelena Templin-Ghadri and Christian Templin Research Prize Olten Heart Foundation Jelena Gahdri and Christian Templin Mayo Distinguished Alumni Award Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Mn., USA Thomas F. Lüscher

De Barjac Prize F4LABMED Foundation for laboratory medicine, Swiss Society of Clinical Chemistry Luca Liberale Research Prize Walter and Gertrud Siegenthaler Foundation Jelena Templin-Ghadri

Research Prize Day of Clinical Research, University and University Hospital Zurich Luca Liberale

Prix de la Fondation Coeur de la Tour Jelena Templin-Ghadri

Andreas Grüntzig Award Swiss Society of Cardiology Thomas F. Lüscher

Paul-Morawitz-Preis German Society of Cardiology Thomas F. Lüscher

Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award American Heart Association Sarah Costantino, Shafeeq A. Mohammed, Alexander Akhmedov, Thomas F. Lüscher, Francesco Paneni

2014 2016 2018

2012 2015 2017 2019

Research Prize Swiss Heart Foundation Andreas Flammer

Amgen Research Prize Swiss Society of Cardiology Sarah Costantino Gold Medal Serbian Society of Heart Failure Thomas F. Lüscher Research Prize Swiss Society of Cardiology Jelena Templin-Ghadri and Christian Templin SWISS Lipid Award Elena Osto Best Research Presentation European Heart Rhythm Association Deniz Akdis Young Investigator Award European Society of Cardiology Tasneem Arsiwala

Medal Jagiellonian University Krakow Thomas F. Lüscher Werner Forssmann Award Charité Berlin Thomas F. Lüscher

ALUMNI

PD Dr. Lukas Altwegg Chefarzt Kardiologie, St. Claraspital, Basel

Ehem. PD Dr. Edward Wight Chefarzt Gynäkologie, Frauenklinik, Universitätsspital Basel

PD Dr. Laurent Haegeli Chefarzt Kardiologie, Kantonsspital Aarau

Prof. Dr. Hans Rickli Chefarzt Kardiologie, Kantonsspital St. Gallen

Prof. Dr. Peter Meyer Leitender Arzt Ophthalmopathologie und Augenklinik, Universitäts­spital Basel

PD Dr. Jens Hellermann Chefarzt Innere Medizin, Spital Schiers

Prof. Dr. Marco Roffi Leiter Herzkatheterlabor Kardiologie, HUG Genève

Prof. Dr. Jürg Schwitter Leiter Cardiac MRI, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lausanne

Prof. Dr. Giovanni Pedrazzini Leiter Herzkatheterlabors, Cardiocentro Lugano Prof. Dr. Zhihong Yang Institut für Physiologie, Universität Fribourg

PD Dr. Richard Kobza Chefarzt Kardiologie, ­ Luzerner Kantonsspital

Prof. Dr.Ton Rabelink Chairman Internal Medicine, University of Leiden (NL)

Prof. Dr.Vincent Richard Director, INSERM Université de Rouen (FR)

Prof. Dr. Erwin Oechslin Department of Medicine, University of Toronto (CAN)

Dr. Chantal Boulanger Directrice de Recherche, INSERM, Paris (FR)

Prof. Dr. Livius d’Uscio, PharmD Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester (USA) Prof. Dr. Eduardo Nava Dept. of Medical Sciences, Univ. of Castilla-La Mancha School of Medicine and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research, Albacete (ES)

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INTERNATIONAL ­ ALUMNI NETWORK ALUMNI OF THE FOUNDATION IN EXECUTIVE POSITIONS AT INSTITUTIONS IN SWITZERLAND AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

Prof. Dr. Dan Atar Professor of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital (NO)

Prof. Dr. Francesco Cosentino Professor of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm (SE) Prof. Dr. Ulf Landmesser Klinikdirektor Kardiologie, Charité und Benjamin-Franklin, Berlin (DE)

Prof. Dr. Walter E. Häfeli Ärztlicher Direktor Klinische Pharmakologie und ­Pharmakoepidemiologie, ­Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg (DE)

Prof. Dr.Yasuaki Dohi Nagoya Gakuin University, Nagoya (JP)

Prof. Dr. Keiichi Hishikawa Pharmacology, University of Tokio (JP)

Prof. Dr. Hiroyuki Takase, MD / PhD Director Medical Department, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Enshu Hospital Hamamatsu (JP)

Prof. Dr. Masato Eto Geriatric Medicine, University of Tokio (JP)

Prof. Dr.Yi Shi Fudan University, Shanghai P. R. C. (CN)

Prof. Dr. Pierre Moreau Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy University of Kuwait (KWT)

Prof. Dr. René R. Wenzel Chefarzt Medizin, Spital Zell am See (AT)

PD Dr. Ronald K. Binder Chefarzt Kardiologie, Klinikum WelsGrieskirchen (AT)

Prof. Dr. Bilgehan Karadag Cardiology, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul (TR)

Prof. Dr. Girish Ramteke Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Medical College and Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital, Indore (IND)

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HOW TO SUPPORT UP-TO-DATE RESEARCH

ENHANCING HEART RESEARCH IN ZURICH The Foundation is interested in establishing longterm relationships with its benefactors, donors and sponsors. Our cardiac research and training activ­ ities can be supported in many ways. The options are listed in the following.

UNRESTRICTED DONATIONS An unrestriced donation is – in our view – the most generous way of supporting our research a ­ ctivities.

Important projects and core themes can be ­addressed and expedited rapidly with a donation to our research fund. We thus have the opportunity to invest additional financial resources efficiently in a strategically important research sector.

EARMARKED DONATIONS Supporting a professorship A professorship is usually supported for a period of six years with a total sum of CHF 1.5 million. If the donor wishes, the professorship can be given a spe­ cific name.

Supporting a research project A variety of research projects need financial sup­ port; the funds may be allocated to a part of a project or an entire project (see current research projects).

Supporting a research fellow A scientist can be supported with CHF 100’000 per year. The research field can be chosen; for example, atherosclerosis, risk factors, aging research, stem cell research, myocardial infarction, or heart failure.

Supporting a PhD student A doctoral candidate can be supported with CHF 55’000 per year. The time period for completion of the doctoral thesis is three years.

Training scholarships Training scholarships are awarded to medical grad­ uates or research fellows (< 36 years of age) in or­ der to undergo specialist training in basic or clinical research. Duration: 6 to 12 months. Cost of training: CHF 30’000 to CHF 60’000.

We will be glad to address your personal wishes and discuss the various support options with you. Your contacts are:

CONTACTS Prof. Dr. Thomas F. Lüscher T +41 (0)44 250 40 97 Thomas.luescher@zhh.ch Prof. Dr. Giovanni Camici T +41 (0)44 635 64 68 giovanni.camici@uzh.ch Dr. Ruth Amstein T +41 (0)44 250 40 87 ruth.amstein@zhh.ch Werner Schär T +41 (0)44 250 40 82 werner.schaer@zhh.ch ZURICH HEART HOUSE Foundation for Cardiovascular Research Hottingerstrasse 14 CH-8032 Zurich Switzerland T +41 (0)44 250 40 80 F +41 (0)44 250 40 90 contact@zhh.ch www.zhh.ch

University of Zurich Center for Molecular Cardiology

Zurich Heart House Foundation for Cardiovascular Research

In 2014, the laboratory of cardiovascular research became an independent research center of the University of Zurich named “Center for Molecular Cardiology” (CMC) and is closely associated with the University Heart Center Zurich. The CMC was es­ tablished at the recently built University of Zurich’s campus in Schlieren and during this phase, Prof.

Giovanni G. Camici took over the directorship of the Center with Prof. Thomas F. Lüscher as Chairman.

The CMC owes its outstanding achievements in cardio­vascular research to the continuous support of the Foundation for Cardiovascular Research/ ­Zurich Heart House.

The Center is composed of several research groups each focusing on different aspects of translational research in cardiovascular physiology and patho­ physiology. Here the CMC quickly established itself as a “state of the art” research facility with modern equipment for molecular, cellular as well as cardio­ vascular translational research.

The Foundation for Cardiovascular Research is a non-for-profit organisation and a leading center for cardiovascular disease in Europe. The aim of the Foundation is to conduct and support research from bench to bedside and to help disseminate current knowledge on heart disease to doctors and patients.

The Education Center of ZHH is a leading provider of medical education attracting cardiologists and health care professionals worldwide to attend its symposia, courses and postgraduate programmes.

The center makes an essential contribution to the widespread distribution and communi­cation of new strategies for the prevention, diagnosis and treat­ ment of cardiovascular disease.

A HEART FOR SCIENCE

University of Zurich Center for Molecular Cardiology Wagistrasse 12 CH-8952 Schlieren Switzerland www.cmc.uzh.ch

Zurich Heart House Foundation for Cardiovascular Research Hottingerstrasse 14 CH-8032 Zürich Switzerland www.zhh.ch