5th DCVA Translational Cardiovascular Research Meeting

Because of the current COVID situation we had to decide to organize the meeting completely digital one more time. We will be using Zoom for this meeting.

We aim for a physical meeting again next year. By continuing digitally this year, we want to give all the (young) researchers the opportunity to attend scientific sessions with national and international top-speakers. We will also move forward with the Einthoven dissertation prizes and the Fellowships, so awardees can proceed with their great plans!

During the 5^thDCVA Translational Cardiovascular Research Meeting on Thursday June 24, there is an opportunity to present your poster online on the congress-website. Before and during the congress, we will inform all the participants about the posters that have been submitted to us, and invite them to visit the posters. Due to COVID-19 we cannot welcome visitors in person, but in this way we would like to give young talents the opportunity to present their work to a large audience.

In order to participate please submit by June 17 the latest via info@heart-institute.nl:

• your poster in PDF-format
• an abstract of your work of no more than 250 words

For our heart to beat, calcium ions in the heart muscle cells are important. The phospholamban (PLN) protein plays an important role in the calcium balance of the heart muscle cells. In 2012, a mutation (change in DNA) in the PLN gene in the Netherlands was associated with the development of a heart muscle disease. The Dutch mutation concerns the absence of the amino acid arginine (Arg) at position 14 and is therefore called in scientific terms: PLN p.Arg14del[1]. 

Because of this genetic abnormality, the PLN protein cannot always function properly. At the age of seventy, half of the carriers have serious heart-related complaints, such as heart failure or serious cardiac dysrhythmia. It is not yet clear why one person becomes ill and the other does not. Even within families this can differ. 

PLN mutation-related complaints could manifest through: 

• arrhythmias
• heart rate surges 
• shortness of breath 
• (severe) fatigue 
• chest pain 
• reduced stamina 
• sudden cardiac death 

Currently, there is no treatment for the PLN mutation. For each patient it is determined how the symptoms can be reduced as much as possible. Sometimes this is achieved by medication, sometimes an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, a kind of pacemaker) is given, which intervenes in case of arrhythmia. In extreme cases, a support heart (LVAD) or eventually a heart transplant may be necessary. 

The PLN Foundation is continuously engaged in scientific research and projects. In recent years we have expanded our network with (inter)national research centers. We connect rereachers worldwide, motivates research, stimulates and finances young talent and out-of-the-box ideas. 

The PLN Foundation funds pioneering research and we issue an annual Crazy Idea Proposal Contest. Obtaining funds for pioneering research is difficult. Through our funding scientists can start the project. Once there are positive results, resources from other funds can be obtained. In this way, we always follow new developments and insights. We also encourage and finance young talented students and postdocs. They can work in different laboratories / research centers worldwide to accelerate our research there. They take the knowledge gained back to the Netherlands. 

More information can be found on the website https://plnheart.org/

During the 5th DCVA Translational Cardiovascular Research Meeting we give young researchers the possibility to follow workshops:

Personal media strategy – a quick guide into the world of social and traditional media:

This workshop offers a brief introduction in the world of the media. Both social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn as well as traditional media such as radio, television and written press are covered. You will learn how to match media with your target audiences, goals, and talents. During some practical exercises you will train the skills you need when sharing your research with people outside academia.

Networking – how to find, approach, and connect with project partners, mentors, and future employers:

This workshop explores the different stages of networking in academia. You practice your pitching skills by composing a brief message aimed at a person who could help you to reach the next level in your career. In the second part of the workshop, you try out the networking tips and tricks on a panel of senior researchers, who also share their experiences with you. The panel members will offer feedback on the messages composed by the participants. Actually, during the workshop some real connections might be made.

If you want to participate, you can indicate this when registering. Registration and attendance is free of charge, but the number of participants is limited. Please be aware that not attending after registering will exclude other interested participants. If you are unable to attend, we kindly ask you to unsubscribe via info@heart-institute.nl.

It is possible to register for the 5th DCVA Translational Cardiovascular Research Meeting on Thursday, June 24. Mark this date in your agenda and register here.

The Fellowships give promising young researchers from the Netherlands the opportunity to work for up to one year in an international top quality academic centre anywhere in the world to gather skills or knowledge that can be applied in a Dutch academic centre. Young talents can apply for up to €45000 to work abroad for up to 1 year. Up to 3 candidates will be invited to present their application during the 5th DCVA Translational Cardiovascular Research Meeting.

You can send your application to info@heart-institute.nl no later than 7 May 2021. The details can be found here.

The jury has selected three candidates who will present their PhD thesis during the 5th DCVA Translational Cardiovascular Research Meeting, to compete for the Einthoven Prizes:

• Vincent Aengevaeren (RadboudUMC): Potential Detrimental Effects of Exercise on the Heart.
• Martijn Smulders (MUMC): Diagnostic Evaluation of Chest Pain: The role of non-invasive cardiac imaging.
• Najim Lahrouchi (AMC): Dissecting genetic risk in common and rare inherited disorders.

It will be possible for the public to vote, during this session. Who will go home with the title ‘Best Thesis 2020’?

We are proud to announce two excellent Keynote Speakers for the 5th DCVA Translational Cardiovascular Research Meeting:
Prof. Naveed Sattar (University of Glasgow) will give his lecture during the opening and dr. Sean Wu (Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and Stanford University School of Medicine) will close our program.