Genetic and Metabolic Basis of Pediatric Cardiac Diseases

The conference marked the conclusion of the project “Egyptian Pediatric Cardiology Center of Excellence” which was established by the Faculty of Medicine of Cairo University and was sponsored by the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF). The project aimed to provide the latest technologies towards a healthy heart and to establish a new genetic lab with next generation sequencing technology and an advanced metabolic laboratory among other quality-based services. The conference dedicated hand in hand sessions for all aspects of congenital heart diseases as clinical practice, echocardiography, catheter interventions as well as specific topics as cardiomyopathy, rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease and paediatric arrhythmias. The DAAD Cairo Office was pleased to facilitate the participation of Prof. Dr. Narayanswami Sreeram from University of Cologne and Prof. Dr. med. Markus Khalil from Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg as invited speakers under the framework of the COSIMENA Health Cluster. During the conference, around 18 professors from universities in Europe, Asia and Africa presented their latest research in the field of paediatric cardiology and contributed to a lively exchange among the participants.

The conference provided a good opportunity to present the COSIMENA Health Cluster and to introduce various German funding opportunities for researchers and research projects in the field of health in front of an interested scientific community. The conference was held under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Osman El Khosht, the President of Cairo University, Prof. Fathy Khodair, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Dr. Zeinab Salah, Head of the project and Prof. Dr. Hala Hamza, Head of the Pediatric Cardiology Department, Cairo University.