The Cardio-Pulmonary Institute recently opened its doors to provide a captivating glimpse into the world of cardiovascular research. As part of the GU Bürgeruni initiative, interested citizens were invited to the Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology led by Prof. Ralf Brandes on November 9th. The goal was to introduce the Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and immerse participants in hands-on exploration of their own cardiovascular systems.

The evening began with an inspiring presentation by Dr. Guillermo Luxàn, offering insights into daily research life, ongoing projects, and emphasizing the significance of heart and lung research, given their status as leading global causes of mortality. Drawing parallels between cells and factories, he explained the potential devastating consequences of missing or faulty proteins.

Ralf Brandes and participants. Picture: Uwe Dettmar

Following the talk, Prof. Brandes took the lead in explaining the planned experiments. Participants, divided into small groups, engaged in self-conducted experiments, including writing EKGs, examining blood vessels with Doppler ultrasound, and monitoring pulse waves and blood pressure changes. The event concluded with participants exploring the laboratories of the Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology.

The enthusiastic guidance of doctoral students Frederike Lam, Lisa Weiß, Tom Teichmann, and Julia Stötzel from Prof. Brandes’ lab added a personal touch to the experiments, sharing their knowledge and passion for research.

The event not only provided fascinating insights into CPI’s research but also offered participants a unique personal experience. The evening concluded with positive feedback from participants, highlighting the enjoyment and educational value of the experiments in this complimentary knowledge-enhancing opportunity.”