Arterial Hypertension and Vascular Biology (ARHYVAB)
Teresa Maria Seccia
The PhD course Arterial Hypertension and Vascular Biology (ARHYVAB) provides training in both experimental research and clinical research. The main topics on which the course focuses are: vascular biology; endothelial dysfunction; fluid and salt homeostasis; pathophysiology of blood pressure control; secondary hypertension.
Further information
Course Objectives
To provide skills that enable students to plan, conduct and analyse research at clinical and experimental level in the field of Arterial Hypertension and Vascular Biology. Over the course of the 3 years, the PhD programme will provide multidisciplinary training with skills suitable for enabling the immediate integration of PhD students into highly specialised research groups.
Research lines
1. Experimental research
Vascular biology, with particular attention to the endothelium and endothelial dysfunction.
Salt/water homeostasis;
Pathophysiology of blood pressure control;
Genetic and molecular investigations;
Experimental models of atherosclerosis;
Animal models of arterial hypertension;
Molecular and experimental pharmacology;
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antihypertensive drugs.
2. Clinical research
Epidemiology and statistics applied to hypertension;
Principles of pharmacoeconomics applied to hypertension;
Methodologies for assessing organ damage in hypertension;
Pathophysiology of secondary forms of arterial hypertension;
Guidelines for risk stratification and treatment;
Design and planning of clinical studies on hypertension.
Training activities
- First year of research
General introductory training in research methods is provided. Each year a course is held at the Istituto Veneto di Medicina Molecolare (VIMM), attended by numerous lecturers from the PhD courses of the University of Padua and by highly qualified experts external to the University of Padua. The course aims to explain "How to do research" and therefore examines the most recent applications of chemistry and physics to medicine and addresses new developments in genetics, molecular biology, statistics, ethics and social aspects.
The 1st year includes the participation of PhD students in research workshops and seminars held by lecturers from the ARHYVAB course, senior PhD students or external speakers, focusing on the various aspects of the cardiovascular system.
The training of the PhD student includes learning a variety of techniques, with the possibility of attending advanced courses in different laboratories.
At the end of the 1st year, the PhD student must have acquired the skills necessary to organise and present research. A specific research project will be assigned, which they will carry out under the supervision of an expert tutor. Progression to the following year depends on the results achieved in the curricular activities during the first year of the PhD.
- Second and third year of research
In the second year, the PhD student must focus their work on the project assigned to them. As the research progresses, they will have the opportunity to present the work in seminars and conferences. Throughout the entire course, the PhD student is required to participate in formal activities, including Weekly Meetings and Journal Clubs, attended by members of the Board of Lecturers and other researchers.
In the second or third year, the PhD student spends at least 6 months abroad, at research institutions and universities collaborating with the PhD Course.
The thesis work is discussed progressively with the supervisor. The thesis defence takes place in the presence of the members of the ARHYVAB Board of Lecturers and external experts.
The Weekly Meetings (also open to other researchers) are held on Wednesday at 08:15. During these meetings, PhD students take turns discussing their project and sharing results in order to promote the advancement of knowledge for all PhD students, refine methods and achieve the planned project objectives.
The Journal Clubs, which take place every Friday at 08:15, involve interactive discussion.
Professional profile
ARHYVAB aims to train highly qualified professional figures with a degree awarded jointly by the Rectors of the different Partner Universities. In particular, ARHYVAB aims to train 2 professional profiles:
A) Clinical researchers (Clinician-scientists) with skills enabling their employment in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry, in the planning, organisation and conduct of clinical trials on arterial hypertension and in the dissemination to the public of the respective results through conferences and publications.
B) Experimental researchers who may find positions in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry, in Italy and abroad, in research on the pathophysiological, cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying Arterial Hypertension and its complications.
Contacts
Arterial Hypertension and Vascular Biology (ARHYVAB)
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE - DIMED
Via Giustiniani, 2 - 35128 Padua
Teresa Maria SECCIA (Coordinator)
teresamaria.seccia@unipd.it
Administrative Contacts
postlauream.dimed@unipd.it