Appendix - CNIC

REPORT ´09
Another important CNIC translational study, PESA (Progression of Early
Atherosclerosis in Santander), was approved at the end of 2009. The study
will use advanced imaging techniques to detect the prevalence and
progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in a population of 5000 workers
aged between 40 and 54 years at the Banco Santander, and will evaluate the
association of these clinical parameters with the presence of genetic,
molecular-genetic, environmental and life-style risk factors.
The essential underpinning for these clinical studies is the development of
pioneering imaging technologies. Preparations for the new imaging lab are at
an advanced stage, and in December the CNIC signed a contract with Philips
for the installation of new imaging equipment. This equipment will be used
to establish innovative non-invasive imaging protocols for animal research
and diagnosis in human patients, and will thus work at the interface between
basic and translational research.
The CNIC’s commitment to training the leading investigators of tomorrow was
advanced by participation last year in the Campus de Excelencia run by the
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the Spanish Research Council (CSIC).
The CNIC also has a strong interest in international training. For this reason
we encourage students to enroll on international PhD programs, and the
Center, through its Cardiojoven and Cardio-imagen programs, has sent ten
researchers to obtain expert training in cardiovascular imaging research at
the Mount Sinai Medical School.
The coming months will see further developments, including the installation
of infrastructure for large animal work and imaging. Looking back, the team
of talented scientists, technicians and support personnel at the CNIC can
feel justly satisfied with the progress made over the last year; and we share
their keen enthusiasm for the challenges ahead.
Valentín Fuster. General Director Miguel Torres. Associate Director