Cardiovascular Research Cluster Bern

CVRC Logo

The Cardiovascular Research Cluster (CVRC) Bern is a local network of researchers at the University of Bern and the Inselspital with an interest in cardiovascular research. It aims to reinforce Bern’s position as a leading center for cardiovascular research locally, nationally, and internationally.

To the CVRC website

CVRC Coordinator

Prof. Sarah Longnus

CVRC Coordinator

Prof. Katja Odening

Profile

  • The CVRC was initiated in 2015 as a local network to raise visibility and awareness of ongoing cardiovascular research in Bern, to foster and promote collaborations between scientists and clinicians, to enrich the training environment of early career researchers, and to provide a framework and logistical support for multi-team and/or interdisciplinary projects.
  • It aims to reinforce Bern’s position as a leading center for cardiovascular research, both nationally and internationally, as well as to secure its competitive position in the future by enhancing fundamental-translational-clinical partnerships, enriching the PhD training program, and increasing Bern’s visibility and attractiveness for cardiovascular researchers.
  • It has built a solid community, strengthening links among cardiovascular researchers in Bern. Indeed, the CVRC mailing list now includes more than 400 cluster members from 15 local institutes and departments.

External Partners

Università della Svizzera Italiana: Cardiovascular / Human Cardiovascular Science PhD Program, University of Lausanne: Cardiovascular and metabolism (CVM) PhD program of the Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität & Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany: Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) on Atherosclerosis PhD program

Grants

  • BCPM Lighthouse Project Grant “Precision Diagnosis and Therapy in CArdiac ChannelopathiEs (PACE)”: CVRC PI: KO; CVRC Co-PIs: NM, MO
  • Strategic Board funding of the Faculty of Medicine “Ex-vivo Heart Perfusion – Technology that innovates cardiac transplantation and precision therapies”: CVRC PI: MS; CVRC CO-PIs: SL, KO
  • Förderprogramm “Doktoratsprogramme / Graduate Schools Universität Bern 2021-2024” (Förderperiode 2023-2024), University of Bern for the “Cardiovascular Research PhD Specialization Program”. CVRC PIs: SL, KO
  • SNSF NRP79 “HeartX: Decoding cardiac regulatory landscapes in an all-human model for cardiogenesis”: CVRC PIs: MO, CZ; CVRC Co-PIs: NM, KO, YD
  • SNSF NRP78 “Unravelling consequences of SARS-CoV-2 mediated inflammatory immune responses in heart and vasculature”: CVRC PIs: YD, RR, NM, BE; CVRC Co-PIs: KO, SL

Highlights 2025

The Cardiovascular Research Cluster Bern (CVRC) Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

The CVRC held its 10th Anniversary Celebration on September 3, 2025 at the Maurice E. Müller Auditorium in Bern.

Initiated by a only few cardiovascular researchers, the CVRC has expanded to encompass more than 400 members from 16 Departments and Institutes at the University of Bern. For this successfully implemented dynamic and productive research community, the procurement of more than 10 Million CHF third party funding for collaborative research grants initiated within the CVRC community, the introduction of a PhD specialization program in cardiovascular research and the  acquisition of international partner institutes, are only a few highlights.

To the article on the CVRC Website

Nacht der Forschung (NdF) 2025

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide. The Cardiovascular Research Cluster Bern brings together various research groups from the Inselspital and the University of Bern that are actively conducting research in this field.

At the NdF 2025 edition, the Cardiovascular Research Cluster joined for a second time with the participation of thirteen professors and their research teams. Thanks to their dedicated work and a variety of activities offered, we were able to show the public the great diversity and importance of cardiovascular research.

Review of the Nacht der Forschung 2025

PhD Specialization in Cardiovascular Research: Swiss-wide Cardiovascular Student Retreat 2025

The second edition of the Swiss-wide Cardiovascular Student Retreat once again was a successful meeting. It continues to expand to additional Swiss universities, and our aim remains unchanged: to bring together early career investigators in the field of cardiovascular research to foster exchanges and symbioses.

38 students from 7 Swiss universities gathered on November 14/15, 2025, to take part in the Swiss-wide Cardiovascular Student Retreat in Murten / Morat. Keynote lectures were given by Prof. Burkhard Ludewig, Head of the Medical Research Center at the Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, and Head of the Translational Cardioimmunology Unit at the University Hospital Zurich, and by Prof. Camilla Schinner, Assistant Professor at Hannover Medical School (MHH), Assistant Professor at the University of Bern and at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). PhD and MD-PhD students presented their research in the form of flash and poster presentations.

To the article on the CVRC website

CVRC Annual Meeting 2025

On January 21st, 2025, the Cardiovascular Research Cluster Bern (CVRC) held its Annual Meeting in Bern. Approximately 130 research scientists, clinicians and students from the many different Bernese institutes and departments involved in cardiovascular research participated. A total of 41 abstracts were presented in the form of flash talks and posters, and prizes were awarded for the two best clinical and fundamental presentations (see photo). The meeting was divided into sessions on various cardiovascular topics with key invited presentations by senior researchers. It is considered a great success every year.

To the article on the CVRC website