On 28 September, the Collaborative Research Centre TRR219 of the Institute of Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), headed by Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Joachim Jankowski, organised a varied educational day for 60 pupils from secondary schools to give them a deeper understanding of heart-kidney diseases. The focus was on the complex interactions between the kidneys and the heart.
The day started with an interactive lecture introducing the topic and was then rounded off by four different workshops. In two workshops, the students were able to gain basic scientific knowledge. Here they learned more about microscopy and the function of organs as well as how to use a pipette. In addition, they gained in-depth insights into echocardiography of the heart and the evaluation of electrocardiograms in two clinical workshops.
The educational day ended with a joint lunch and an impressive exhibition of large models of the heart, kidneys and blood vessels. This allowed the students to deepen the knowledge they had learned in a practical way and to experience the fascinating world of heart-kidney research at first hand.
Overall, the education day was a great success and gave the researchers at the Uniklinik the opportunity to share their passion for research into heart-kidney diseases with the younger generation. "We are convinced that this initiative helped to spark the students' interest in science and may even have inspired future researchers," says a delighted Dr Emiel van der Vorst, staff member of the Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research and organiser of the taster day.
