Medical University of Gdańsk hosted Tengiz Maisuradze from Georgian National University SEU (Georgia), who completed a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) within the COST Action CA22169 EU-METAHEART – European Network to Tackle Metabolic Alterations in Heart Failure. The internship was supervised by Assoc. Prof. Barbara Kutryb-Zając, Department of Biochemistry and Centre of Experimental Cardiooncology, Medical University of Gdańsk.
During his stay in Gdańsk, the participant gained experience in both experimental research and advanced clinical diagnostics. At the Department of Biochemistry, he was introduced by the PhD students, Iga Walczak and Roksana Knapczyk to metabolomic profiling, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and methods for assessing endothelial function. In collaboration with the University Clinical Centre, he also completed training at the Department of Cardiac Diagnostics under the supervision of Prof. Marcin Hellmann, where he became familiar with modern non-invasive cardiovascular assessment techniques, including Flow-Mediated Skin Fluorescence (FMSF) for the evaluation of microvascular and endothelial function with Dr. Maria Tarnawska and Aleksandra Parzuchowska as well as echocardiography together with Dr. Hanna Jankowska and Dr. Marta Żarczyńska-Buchowiecka. In addition, at the 1st Department of Cardiology, headed by Prof. Marcin Gruchała, he worked under the supervision of Dr. Grzegorz Żuk, gaining insight into the organization of an interventional cardiology laboratory and observing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures.
The EU-METAHEART programme brings together leading European research centers investigating the metabolic mechanisms underlying heart failure and cardiovascular diseases. One of its primary objectives is to strengthen international collaboration, promote knowledge exchange, and support the training of early-career researchers through Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs). Within the COST Action, prof. Barbara Kutryb-Zając serves as the Co-Leader of Working Group 2 (WG2) – “Metabolic Aspects of Vascular Dysfunction”, coordinating international research activities focused on the metabolic mechanisms of endothelial and vascular dysfunction.
The internship had a strongly interdisciplinary character, combining basic research, observation of clinical practice, and data analysis. The visit highlights the Medical University of Gdańsk's active engagement in European research initiatives and its commitment to strengthening international scientific collaboration. Through participation in the COST EU-METAHEART programme, young researchers have the opportunity to acquire experience at leading European institutions, develop advanced research skills, and establish long-term scientific partnerships that foster collaborative projects and high-impact publications.
More information about the COST Action CA22169 EU-METAHEART is available on the project's website: https://cost-metaheart.eu/.
