The Diseased Heart in Focus
12th DZHK Retreat & Young DZHK Retreat
9 - 10 Sep & 10 - 11 Sep 2026
in Hamburg, Radisson Blu
Registration for the DZHK Retreat and for the Young DZHK Retreat is closed.
Organising Team:
Romy Kaminski, Sarah Mempel & Christine Vollgraf, contact: retreat@dzhk.de
Dear DZHK Members,
We are delighted to welcome you to the 2026 DZHK Retreat in Hamburg.
This year, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and cardiomyopathies, two of our DZHK focus areas, take centre stage. The sessions combine scientific insights with interactive formats designed to encourage discussion and the exchange of perspectives, as well as the exploration of new ideas. We would like to thank the speakers of both focus areas and their teams for developing and organising these sessions.
We hope the retreat will provide ample opportunity to connect across disciplines and locations, forge new collaborations, and help shape future research within the DZHK.
We look forward to two engaging days and to welcoming you to Hamburg.
The DZHK Board of Directors
Keynote & Guests
Keynote: Prof. Christian Haass
German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich
Christian Haass is a leading researcher in the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. His discoveries on amyloid formation and processing helped identify new therapeutic targets and paved the way for treatment approaches that have since reached clinical application. His work exemplifies the path from fundamental molecular discoveries to new therapeutic strategies for patients.
More about Christian Haass »
Dr. Ulrike Graefe-Mody
Boehringer Ingelheim
Ulrike Graefe-Mody is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Experimental Medicine for Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases at Boehringer Ingelheim. With more than two decades of experience in drug development, she has accompanied therapeutic candidates from early clinical development through late-stage trials, regulatory submission and launch. Today, she leads the translation of research into clinical proof of concept, bringing an industry perspective on how promising science can be developed into new therapies.
Ulrike Graefe-Mody on LinkedIn
Dr. Saptarsi Haldar
Genentech, South San Francisco
Saptarsi Haldar is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Research Biology at Genentech. A cardiologist and physician-scientist, his research has focused on gene-regulatory and epigenetic mechanisms in cardiovascular and metabolic disease, with the goal of translating insights from human biology into new therapeutic approaches. With experience spanning academic research, clinical medicine and biopharmaceutical R&D, he brings a translational perspective to the DZHK Scientific Advisory Board.
Saptarsi Haldar on LinkedIn
Programme DZHK Retreat 2026
Thursday
10 September 2026
Registration & Welcome Coffee
13:00–14:00
Opening
14:00–14:15
- Welcoming address
Stefanie Dimmeler · Frankfurt am Main
Keynote
14:15–15:00
Chair: Holger Gerhardt · Berlin
- Therapeutic modulation of microglia – science fiction or a valuable option to treat neurodegenerative disorders?
Christian Haass · German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, München
HFpEF — Part I
Cardiometabolic HFpEF: Adiposity, Heterogeneity, and the Path to Targeted Therapies
15:00–15:45
Chairs: Sandy Engelhardt · Heidelberg; Eike Nagel · Frankfurt am Main; Gabriele Schiattarella · Berlin
- Cardiometabolic HFpEF: A Systems Medicine Framework for Metabolic and Vascular Dysfunction
Ingrid Fleming · Frankfurt am Main - Beyond BMI: Adipose dysfunction, sex differences, and clinical phenotypes in HFpEF
Stephan von Haehling · Göttingen - Refining HFpEF trials - and how to design mechanism-based cardiometabolic therapies
Frank Edelmann · Berlin
Coffee Break & Group Photo
15:45–16:15
HFpEF — Part II (interactive)
From Complexity to Translational Action – What Should DZHK Do Next?
16:15–17:45
Impulse Talks
- Talk 1 – Translational phenotyping
Eike Nagel · Frankfurt am Main - Talk 2 – Mechanisms to therapy
Gabriele Schiattarella · Berlin - Talk 3 – Data integration and trial design
Sandy Engelhardt · Heidelberg
Afterwards: Breakout Sessions
- Group 1 – Translational phenotyping
- Group 2 – Mechanisms to therapy
- Group 3 – Data integration and trial design
New Clinical Studies in the DZHK
17:45–18:45
Chairs: Mahir Karakas · Hamburg, Philipp Wild · Mainz
- CHASE-MI-DZHK33: Machine learning algorithm for the personalized diagnosis of myocardial infarction
Johannes Neumann, Raphael Twerenbold · Hamburg - PRAISE 2.0-DZHK35: Invasive vs. conservative strategy in stroke patients with suspected non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Freiin Regina von Rennenberg · Berlin - CABA-MiTRA: Catheter Ablation for AF in patients with severe mitral regurgitation after successful transcatheter mitral-valve repair
Reza Wakili · Frankfurt am Main - HI-REX-HF-DZHK32: High-intensity resistance exercise training in HFpEF/HFmrEF
Stephan Müller-Stegner · München - SCAD-ALIGN-DZHK31: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection - antiplatelet therapy intensity in guided conservative management
Christina Magnussen, Peter Clemmensen · Hamburg
Dinner & Open Bar
19:00–22:30
Friday
11 September 2026
Highlights from the Young DZHK Retreat
08:30–09:00
Chairs: Sonia Singh · Hamburg; Simone-Franziska Glaser · Frankfurt am Main; Michael Molitor · Mainz
- Award-winning presentations
The Young DZHK Awards are presented in memory of Inge Tamm, with the prize money made possible by a donation collected in her memory.
Cardiomyopathies — Part I
09:00–09:45
Chairs: Benjamin Meder · Heidelberg; Daniela Panáková · Kiel; Stephan von Haehling · Göttingen
- Single-cell analysis reveals novel cardiomyopathy networks
Eleonora Adami · Berlin - Molecular pathomechanisms of cardiovascular diseases
Friederike Cuello · Hamburg - Psychocardiology in cardiomyopathies and heart failure
Monika Sadlonova · Göttingen
Coffee Break & Check-out
09:45–10:45
Translation in the DZHK
10:45–11:45
Chairs: Ulrike Gräfe-Mody · Ingelheim am Rhein; Thomas Eschenhagen · Hamburg
- Repurposing an old analgesic as a novel therapeutic for pulmonary hypertension
Wolfgang Kübler · Berlin - New generation of beta-blockers for improved heart failure therapy
Heimo Ehmke · Hamburg - Uncoupling of thrombosis and hemostasis - utilizing intravital microscopy to inform development of nanotherapeutics
Leo Nicolai · München - MRTF-A gene therapy to treat capillary rarefaction in peripheral artery disease
Christian Kupatt · München
Lightning Pitches
11:45–12:00
Chairs: Katharina Eulenburg · Berlin
1 Implementing PROMs into DZHK studies
Monika Sadlonova
2 Cerebral T Waves – What Is the Brain Telling Us Through the ECG?
Philip Hempel
3 Translational Pitch Day at the Partner Site Heidelberg Mannheim
Jörg Heineke
4 Seeking collaboration to validate CPT1A+ proliferative cardiomyocytes in human and translational medical models
Xuejun Yuan
5 Coronary spasms and myocardial infarction as a rare adverse effect of pseudoephedrine
Thomas Eschenhagen
6 Of endothelial cells, pericytes and the needle in the haystack
Jenny Schwarzkopf
7 Translation and collaborative infrastructure for large animal cardiovascular research at LMU Munich
Daphne Merkus
8 Nutzung TrinetX: global database plattform for clinical research
Elias Rawish
Open Space & Meet the Expert
12:00–12:45
- From Target to Therapy: An Industry Perspective
Ulrike Gräfe-Mody · Ingelheim am Rhein - From disease biology to drug discovery: finding the right targets
Saptarsi Haldar · San Francisco - DZHK Funding Management: Ask Us Anything
with the Funding Management Team - Explore the DZHK Heartbank
Julia Hoffmann · Berlin
Lunch Break
12:45–13:45
Cardiomyopathies — Part II (interactive)
13:45–15:15
Impulse Talks
Afterwards: Breakout Sessions
- Group 1 – DZHK Registries: How to transform to the next level
Benjamin Meder · Heidelberg; Teresa Trenkwalder · München - Group 2 – Development strategies in DZHK
Stephan von Haehling · Göttingen - Group 3 – Convergent disease modeling across platforms to enhance translation
Daniela Panáková · Kiel; Christian Kupatt · München; Manu Beerens · Hamburg
Setting the Course - Board Conversation
15:15–16:00
Moderators: Thomas Eschenhagen · Hamburg; Niklas Beyhoff · Berlin
- Panel Discussion with the current and incoming board
Stefanie Dimmeler · Frankfurt am Main; Holger Gerhardt · Berlin; Heribert Schunkert · München; Rabea Hinkel · Göttingen
Closing Remarks
16:00–16:15
N.N.
16:15 Farewell Coffee & Departure
Programme Young Retreat
Wednesday, 9 September
11:00–19:00
Thursday, 10 September
08:30–13:00
Additional Meetings
WEDNESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER
Postdoc Committee Meeting
10:00–11:00 | Los Angeles (Main Hall)
Partner Site Managers’ Retreat, Part 1
11:00–18:00 | Mexico
THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER
Partner Site Managers’ Retreat, Part 2
08:30–13:30 | Mexico
SAB Meeting
09:00–13:00 | Shanghai
Evening Activities (optional)
JOIN US ON THURSDAY, 10 SEPT
Open Bar – Hotel Lobby
until 22:00
Enjoy a drink with fellow retreat participants. Drinks are on us.
Planten un Blomen – Water Light Concert
21:00 · approx. 15 min walk
Look for the DZHK beach flag and join us for the illuminated water show and a drink.
EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN
Green Bunker → Reeperbahn → Landungsbrücken
approx. 20 min walk · rooftop garden open until 21:00
Visit the rooftop garden of the Green Bunker St. Pauli and continue via the Reeperbahn to the Landungsbrücken.
Binnenalster & Jungfernstieg
approx. 15–20 min walk
Take an evening stroll to the Binnenalster and Jungfernstieg.
TWOSIX Rooftop Bar
26th floor of the Radisson Blu · open until midnight
Enjoy a drink with panoramic views over Hamburg.
Venue, Travel & Accomodation
This year we will meet in Hamburg. The maritime port city on the Elbe and Alster rivers is known for the UNESCO World Heritage site Speicherstadt Hamburg and the modern landmark Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Congressplatz 2, 20354 Hamburg
The Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg is centrally located, just 100 metres from the Hamburg Dammtor S-Bahn station.
We will make the hotel reservations for all participants according to the dates of attendance indicated in the online registration.
Please make your own travel arrangements in compliance with the DZHK Travel Expenses Policy (as of 1/2026)
Event App
This year, we will be using a mobile phone app for the DZHK Retreat and the Young DZHK Retreat. The app provides access to the latest programme, session details and practical information throughout the retreat. You can also create a personal profile, share information about yourself, and connect with other participants.
App download: [Google Play] [App Store]
You will receive your personal login details by email before the retreat.
Registration
Registration is closed. We thank all Young DZHK scientists who have submitted an abstract by 31 May 2026. We will inform all applicants about the acceptance of their abstract in mid-July 2026.
All participants of the Young DZHK Retreat (9-10 Sep) are automatically registered for participating in the DZHK Retreat (10-11 Sep).
Registration for the DZHK Retreat is closed.
Registration is preliminary as the number of participants per partner site is limited. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be notified about your participation in mid-July 2026.
FAQ
Registration
Young DZHK Retreat
You will be notified via e-mail in mid-July.
DZHK Retreat
You will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail in mid-July.
Young DZHK Retreat
The Young DZHK Postdoc Committee will assess the submitted abstracts and decide on who will get one of the available spots.
DZHK Retreat
If there are more registered people than are spots available your partner site speakers and management will decide on who gets to go. Furthermore, registrations will be considered on a first come first served basis.
No. If your registration for the Young DZHK Retreat was successful you are automatically registered for the main retreat.
Unfortunately we only have a limited number of spots available. If your abstract was not accepted you cannot attend the retreat.
Travel
The Radisson Blu Hotel Hamburg is centrally located, just 100 metres from the Hamburg Dammtor S-Bahn station.
Please note: We do not cover expenses for taxi rides.
Link to Google Maps
Yes. Please make your own travel arrangements in compliance with the DZHK Travel Expenses Policy (as of 1/2026). Keep all original receipts and tickets as they are needed for claiming your expenses.
Please send original receipts and tickets together with the reimbursement form no later than six months after the retreat to the DZHK head office. We cannot reimburse you for your expenses before the meeting.
Travel expense claims should be addressed to:
DZHK e. V.
Attention: Mareike Leistner
Potsdamer Str. 58
10785 Berlin
Hotel
No. We will make the hotel reservations for all participants according to the dates of attendance indicated in the online registration.
Young DZHK Retreat
You will share a double room with twin beds. When registering for the retreat you can name who you would like to share the room with.
DZHK Retreat
Concerns DZHK PI, DZHK Scientists and DZHK staff: Unless otherwise requested in your registration you will get a single room.
No. The DZHK head office will be billed for the retreat including all hotel rooms. You will be charged for extra expenses such as mini bar, parking garage, alcoholic beverages.
Talk and poster formalities
The meeting language is English. Please prepare your presentation in English.
We do have a DZHK poster template. Posters should be A0 size in portrait orientation. Make sure to include appropriate DZHK affiliation on your poster.
Please hand in your presentation on a portable USB device to the hotel technician or the session chair prior to the start of the session. We do have a DZHK PowerPoint template.
Abstract submission (only for Young DZHK members)
You will be notified via e-mail in mid-July.
All submitted abstracts are evaluated with regard to scientific quality by at least 2 reviewers (members of the Young DZHK Postdoc Committee). After the review process the Postdoc Committee decides which contributions will be presented as talks and as posters and, in case, the number of submissions exceeds the number of available spots, which abstracts are rejected. The Committee members make sure that contributions of all partner sites are represented at the Young DZHK Retreat.
Yes. We make the abstract book available digitally. There will not be a print edition.
Unfortunately we only have a limited number of spots available. If your abstract was not accepted you cannot attend the retreat.