CRONIC-PPF
“Clinical & Research Oriented Network for Innovative Classification
of Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis”
Welcome to CRONIC-PPF
CRONIC-PPF – Clinical & Research Oriented Network for Innovative Classification of Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis (PPF), our new doc.funds PhD Program at the Medical University of Graz (Med Uni Graz), aims to not only shape the next generation of scientists, but also to bridge the gap between clinical needs and research innovation in PPF research. This is fostered by granting cutting-edge PhD education and combining molecular and clinical data with hypothesis-driven research. We seek not only to define disease subtypes but also to uncover common and diverging pathological mechanisms across PPF subtypes. This knowledge will be essential for improving patient classification and guiding the development of targeted therapeutic approaches.
CRONIC-PPF is hosted at the Med Uni Graz, which has recently reinforced its commitment to pulmonary research
with the establishment of the Lung Research Cluster. The state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge
technologies, curated tissue / plasma biobank and interdisciplinary collaborations available in
Med Uni Graz equips students with all necessary tools to tackle PPF from multiple angles, including molecular
profiling, clinical stratification, and therapeutic innovation. Thus, it is an optimized research environment
for early-career lung researchers. This structured and formalized collaborative effort of the CRONIC-PPF
consortium immerses PhD students in an excellent environment of basic, translational research in basic lung
biology. Research conducted in the framework of CRONIC-PPF, works to generate better understanding of the
precise mechanism driving fibrosis progression. Furthermore, deciphering the involvement of immune dysregulation,
genetics, microbiome and environmental exposures will pave the way to develop innovative therapeutic strategies.
Early detection of a progressive interstitial lung diseases (ILD) before irreversible damage occurs is an unmet
need and will be addressed by biomarkers. The program fosters an integrated approach, combining mechanistic and
methodological studies, creating a highly competitive and accessible network.
(click on figure to get full resolution)
Unique features of CRONIC-PPF
This PhD program is the first of its kind to specifically address the comprehensive field of PPF from the clinical and molecular perspective. Students engage directly with patients through annual events organized by CRONIC-PPF and Med Uni Graz, allowing them to present their findings and gain a deeper understanding of the user group's needs. Interaction with patient organizations, i.e. the “Lung Fibrosis Forum Austria”, provides students with valuable insights into current challenges and open questions.
Our vision is to educate a new generation of excellent young scientists whom we place in the intellectual
position to change current treatment paradigms. We lay focus on the functional and structural abnormalities in
PPF, and on the role of immune cells and structural cells on metabolic changes leading to disease progression.
Of particular interest, the crosstalk between lung cells via their mediators opens up a window for therapeutic
interventions capable of balancing the anti-fibrotic effects
CRONIC-PPF is the first of its kind to incorporate the essential field of science communication directly into the education of PhD students. This initiative includes workshops and seminars that will guide all candidates over the course of three years, each year focusing on a specific topic. Throughout the time, young researchers will engage with the question of how to effectively communicate their research project to several different audiences, learn how to use specific media to transport scientific content. Additionally, students will focus on collaboratively developing strategies to effectively communicate researchers' concerns to policymakers.
|
Speaker:
Nikolaus Kneidinger, M.D.
|
Deputy Speaker:
Grażyna Kwapiszewska, PhD
|
|
Medical University of Graz
FWF – Austrian Science Fund
| |
