GRK 1874:  Diabetic Microvascular Complications (DIAMICOM)

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: from 2013 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 214631492

Chronic hyperglycemia accounts for appr. 10 % explaining the variation of microvascular complications in diabetes. The remaining 90 % are unclear by origin. Despite that, chronic hyperglycemia remains the single most important risk factor, f.e. for diabetic retinopathy. Recent evidence also suggests that complications do not only affect the microvasculature in eye, kidney, and nerve, but entire multicellular organs with variable predominance of certain cell types. Furthermore, general mechanisms of glucose toxicity, protection against glycemic stress and cells/(sub-)cellular components resistant to hyperglycemia are on the top list to improve our pathogenetic understanding and foster treatment. With perpetuated focus on DIAMAP aims (the roadmap towards diabetes research in Europe until 2020) (see www.DIAMAP.eu), IRTG 1874 “DIAMICOM“ research addresses these early common mechanisms of tissue damage, factors providing resistance to glycemic stress including components of good and bad memory, and novel pathogenetic treatments in four workpackages (mechanisms – eye – kidney – nerve). The scientific projects conform with DIAMICOM’s most important aim, i.e. the co-education of excellent graduates from medicine and life science for both, closing the „valley of death“ of non-understanding each other’s research, and qualifying the future clinical scientist. Researchers at Heidelberg University (MH/HD) have a reputation in clinical and experimental micro-vascular research, and operate in an excellent scientific environment, particularly endorsed by the CRC 1118 (Reactive metabolites in diabetic complications). Partners at Groningen University (UMCG) are internationally recognized for excellence in experimental diabetology, vascular cell biology and drug targeting. Both universities enjoy a longstanding cooperation on graduate education with an established international MD-PhD programme. Sanofi as partner strongly supports the consortium with scientific and technological input, and endorses graduate education with a perspective on project and career development. Together, DIAMICOM combines scientific excellence in diabetic microvascu-lar research with a unique model of co-education of MD and PhD graduates and integration of important aspects from the private sector.

• DFG Programme: International Research Training Groups
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• IRTG-Partner Institution: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
• Business and Industry: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH; S&MA, General Affairs; Valorisation & Innovation, H 83
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Hans-Peter Hammes
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Dr. Karen Bieback; Dr. Uta Binzen; Privatdozentin Dr. Yuxi Feng; Dr. Thomas Henry Fleming; Professor Dr. Marc Freichel; Dr. Wolfgang Greffrath; Professor Markus Hecker, Ph.D.; Dr. Aimo Kannt; Professor Dr. Jens Kroll; Professor Dr. Bernhard K. Krämer; Professorin Julia Kzhyshkowska, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Peter Nawroth; Professor Dr. Martin Schmelz; Professor Dr. Rudolf Schubert; Dr. Dagmar Schumacher; Professor Dr. Jonathan Paul Sleeman; Professor Dr. Rolf-Detlef Treede; Professor Dr. Andreas H. Wagner; Dr. Paulus Wohlfahrt; Professor Dr. Benito Antonio Yard
• IRTG-Partner: Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Han Moshage