The Vascular biology PhD program provides training in the basic mechanism of vascular function and coagulation, as well as the physiological and pathological aspects associated with it. Topics include endothelial cell, smooth muscle cell, and platelet biology, angiogenesis, vascular pathologies (incl. atherosclerosis, aneurysms), as well as arterial and venous thrombosis.
Research projects offered within the Vascular Biology PhD Program, are offered by group leaders at both preclinical and clinical departments of the Medical University of Vienna and comprise basic, translational, and clinical research programs across the diverse area of cardiovascular medicine. In addition to the shared courses required for the PhD training at the Medical University of Vienna, the basic lectures of the Vascular Biology Program focus on the development of the cardiovascular system, the function of vascular cells and blood vessels, as well as basic principles of coagulation. A second basic lecture series covers the physiological and pathophysiological aspects of cardiovascular medicine, such as atherosclerosis (incl. the role of major risk factors), aneurysm formation, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arterial and venous thrombosis, but also reproduction and wound healing. Lectures also cover relevant laboratory techniques as well as bioinformatics and clinical research tools (epidemiology, genetics, imaging) for cardiovascular research. Thesis seminars and journal clubs on specific topics of vascular biology are offered by the participating research groups.