Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the leading cause of death worldwide and there is a great need to better understand the molecular mechanisms of disease and improve therapeutic options. Non-coding RNA molecules have moved into the focus of cardiovascular research as they control key processes in the cardiovascular system and their therapeutic potential can be underlined by successful manipulation in disease models in vivo.

In order to support research on non-coding RNA in the cardiovascular system, the German Research Foundation DFG has agreed to fund a new transregional Collaborative Research Centre involving a total of five institutions under the leadership of the Technical University of Munich and the Goethe University Frankfurt. Over the next four years, the consortium will receive funding totalling ~ €11 million, with the option of extension.  This interdisciplinary and cross-site collaboration will create a world-leading centre of excellence for cardiovascular non-coding RNA research and thus the basis for new therapies for cardiovascular diseases.