Category Archives: 2019

December 10th, 2019 – Another Successful Year for Post Graduate Education at the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute

2019 has been another successful year for post graduate students at the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute (HCI). This year 3 PhD’s and 1 MD(Res) were awardee to members of the HCI. This brings the total number of higher degrees emanating from the HCI to 70.

The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute is pleased to congratulation the following recipients from 2019:

Dr Stasa Taferner  PhD – An investigation into the role of the CXCR7 chemokine receptor in acute MI and angiogenesis.

Dr Idris Harding PhD – Determinants of Reperfusion Injury in the Diabetic Heart

Dr Kaloyan Takov PhD – Cardioprotective & proangiogenic activities of small exosomes released by amniotic fluid stem cells.

 Dr Ashraf Hamarneh MD(res) – The effect of RIC and glyceryl trinitrate on perioperative myocardial injury in CABG patients.

December 6th, 2019 – The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute Amongst Top Ranking Highest Cited Articles

Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy has published their list of top ranking highest cited 2016-2017 articles for the impact factor year 2018. The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute was recognised with 2 papers on this list, attesting to the novel research and continuing contribution to cardiovascular scientific knowledge of our team.

The papers of note are:

Anthracycline Chemotherapy and CardiotoxicityJ.V. McGowan, R. Chung, A. Maulik, I. Piotrowska, M.J. Walker, D.M. Yellon, Issue 31:1 (2017)

Total Citations: 101            Citations 2018: 51

 Exosomes and Cardiovascular ProtectionS.M. Davidson, K. Takov, D.M. Yellon, Issue 31:1 (2017)

Total Citations: 23            Citations 2018: 14

 Many congratulations to our team for this recognition of their ongoing hard work.

October 9th, 2019 – Dr Catherine Wilder Awarded Fast Track Grant

The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute is pleased to congratulate Dr Catherine Wilder on her success in the recent call for Fast Track grants. Competing against many strong applications, Dr Wilder’s project ‘Gasdermin D – a novel target for dual protection against acute and chronic effects of cardiac ischaemia and reperfusion injury in human myocardium?’ was awarded £39,640.

Dr Wilder will use these funds to continue her research in this emerging area of cardiovascular science over the next year with the aim of producing strong pilot data to enable a further application to an external funder for a larger, more strategic award.

The Fast Track scheme is a collaboration between the NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre and the UCLH Charity.

Congratulations Dr Wilder!

September 6th, 2019 – The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute at UCL Announces the Outcomes of CONDI2/ERIC-PPCI Study at European Society of Cardiology Congress in Paris

Initiated in 2015, the ERIC-PPCI study was a multicentre, randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial investigating whether remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) can reduce cardiac death and hospitalization for heart failure at 12 months in patients presenting with a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The study was undertaken in collaboration with the CONDI2 trial (Denmark, Serbia and Spain) and recruited 5401 patients in total, across 33 centres.

Importantly this landmark study has revealed the RIC procedure has a neutral outcome for the patients enrolled.

The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute has led the study from inception with Prof Derek Yellon and Prof Derek Hausenloy as Principal Investigators together with Prof Erik Bøtker from Denmark and Prof Raj Kharbanda from Oxford.  This study represents a true translational investigation as the basic scientific research began in the laboratories of the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, through to “proof of concept” at University College London Hospitals and finally resulting in this large scale, clinical study in man.

While the outcome has shown a neutral effect, this is a definitive answer to the question driving the study, the ultimate goal for all scientific research we undertake. From this result we are now able to formulate new hypotheses and look forward to understanding survival pathways and cellular mechanisms in humans. For example, the patients in the CONDI2/ERIC – PPCI study were from developed nations, namely the UK and Europe, typically on a regimen of medications which raise the threshold of protection alone. It may be that developing countries, with limited access to medical care and medications, are a more appropriate target for RIC in a STEMI setting. This outcome is important and discussions are already underway as to how to take this forward.

The PI’s of the study are grateful to all the patients who participated, the study team and the British Heart Foundation for their substantial support.

The full report of the study has been published in the Lancet, please read the paper HERE.

July 26th, 2019 – The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute Says Goodbye to Visiting Student

The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute was sad to say goodbye this week to Concepción Santiago, a Ph.D. student visiting from the Institute of Biomedical Research in Málaga, Spain, from the laboratory of Dr Edwardo Garcia Fuentes. Concepción was here for three months working under the supervision of Prof Sean Davidson on the question of how age and senescence affects exosomal nanoparticles. During her time with us she became one of the team and her collaborative work has been beneficial to the research here at the HCI. We wish her all the best in her continued studies towards achieving her Ph.D.

July 9th, 2019 – The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute Celebrates New Professor

The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute (HCI) is very pleased to announce the promotion of Sean Davidson, PhD to Professorial Research Fellow as part of the UCL 2018-19 Promotions. A member of the Department of Pre-clinical and Fundamental Science, Sean is one of only two members of the Faculty of Population Health Sciences to receive this promotion. This promotion marks the 7th Professor to be produced by the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute since its inception.

Prof Davidson started with working with Professor Yellon at the HCI in 2001 as a postdoctoral fellow and has since proven to be an invaluable member of our team. Prof Davidson’s research foundation began in cardiac protection and mitochondrial pathophysiology but has since evolved to now specifically investigate the role of exosomes in cardioprotection.  In addition, Prof Davidson supervises a continuous cohort of MSc and PhD students. His strong collaborations have enriched the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute and include both industry and academic relationships both nationally and worldwide.

The HCI wishes Prof Davidson many congratulations on his new role.

June 5th, 2019- Cardiology, Diabetes & Nephrology at the Limits Meeting in Brazil – One Month to Go

The Cardiology, Diabetes & Nephrology at the Limits series will host its first international meeting in South America on 12th -13th July at the University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. This expansion to South America is exciting as we further engage the clinical and research community in Brazil and surrounding countries. This meeting is a collaboration between the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute UCL, the University of Cape Town, Harvard Medical School, the Lancet and the University of Campinas. It is also endorsed by the UCL Vice Provost (International), Dame Nicola Brewer.

The programme for the meeting in Brazil can be read here CDNATL BRAZIL 2019 PROGRAMME.

The “At the Limits” series is now active in Europe, Africa and South America, a remarkable achievement which indicates the ongoing educational programme of the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute.

For over 20 years the “At the Limits” meetings have been active in cultivating knowledge and collaborations in the field of cardiology, diabetes and nephrology. We have been fortunate enough to attract esteemed speakers and recognised leaders in their fields. For your interest please see links below.

A review of the Hatter Award Annual Lectures can be read here HATTER AWARD LECTURES.

A review of the Hatter Pre-Dinner Speakers can be read here PRE DINNER SPEAKERS.

June 3rd, 2019 – Hatter Cardiovascular Institute Postgraduate Students Awarded PhD’s

Over the last three weeks 2 postgraduate students from The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute have successfully defended their PhD thesis. These included:

* Dr Idris Harding – “Determinants of Reperfusion Injury in the Diabetic Heart

* Ms Stasa Taferner – “Elucidating the role of CXCR7 in the cardiovascular system and its involvement in cardioprotection after myocardial infarction”

The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute is pleased to support such strong and valuable research and wish Dr Harding and Dr Tafemer many congratulations on an excellent thesis.

Dr Ashraf Hamarnef will defend his MD(Res) thesis in just over a month’s time, entitled “The effect of remote ischaemic conditioning and glyceryl trinitrate on perioperative myocardial injury in cardiac bypass surgery patients.”

Over the past 12 months, the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute has had 5 PhD and 3 MD(Res) students receive their respective degrees.