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

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

The CVRC was founded in 2015 with the objectives to 1) raise the visibility & awareness of cardiovascular research in Bern, 2) promote research collaborations & interactions, 3) emphasize connection between fundamental & clinical research, and 4) enrich the training environment for cardiovascular researchers. Starting with a few research groups in fundamental and clinical cardiovascular research, it now has expanded to encompass more than 400  members from 16 Departments and Institutes at the University of Bern. The program was filled with memories and stories of the past along with bright future visions for Cardiovascular Research in Bern. Prof. Dr. Hugues Abriel (Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine) and Prof. Dr. Sarah Longnus (Department of Cardiac Surgery and Department of BioMedical Research) guided us through the history, foundation and achievements of the CVRC. Here, the successful implementation of a vibrant research community, which has in the last 5 years obtained more than 5 Million CHF third party funding for collaborative grant initiated within the CVRC community, and the successful development of a PhD specialization program in cardiovascular research, are only a few highlights.

Prof. Dr. Robert Rieben (Department for BioMedical Research) and Prof. Dr. Stephan Rohr (Department of Physiology) reflected on the highlights, challenges and potential directions related to in their respective fields over the years. Looking forward, Prof. Dr. Nadia Mercader (Institute of Anatomy) and Prof. Dr. Katja Odening (Department of Physiology and Department of Cardiology) outlined the exciting perspectives for the cardiovascular community in Bern.

To finalize, Dr. Sarah Bernhard (Department of Angiology), Prof. Dr. Matthias Wilhelm (Medical Division Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine), PD Dr. Ange Maguy (Department of Physiology) and Prof. Dr. Yvonne Döring (Department of Angiology and Department for BioMedical Research) shared their views about the positive and dynamic future of cardiovascular research and the CVRC with the audience.

Our evening concluded with a networking Apéro with a toast to the 10th Anniversary of the CVRC.

We would like to thank everyone for their participation, their ongoing dedication to cardiovascular research, and their commitment to continued fundamental-translational-clinical partnerships. With the CVRC, Bern’s position as a hotspot for cardiovascular research is strengthened and continues to grow. We look forward to the next ten years!