The AXA Research Fund and the École Polytechnique linked up to create a permanent Chair for Cardiovascular Cellular Engineering

Heart disease and stroke are the two leading causes of death in Europe today. These diseases are caused by atherosclerosis, or thickening of the arterial walls which leads to arterial blockage by lipid-rich plaques. The chair will for the first time study atherosclerosis through a transdisciplinary approach combining biology and engineering. This cellular engineering approach will enhance the understanding of the disease as well as lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies which will contribute to extending life expectancy.

The AXA Research Fund wanted to support this ambitious and cutting edge programme by endowing the Ecole Polytechnique with 2 million euro to create a permanent Chair officially launched on June 14th 2010, in the presence of Henri de Castries, Chairman and CEO of AXA.

Held by the American researcher Professor Abdul Barakat, this AXA - Ecole Polytechnique Chair aims to develop a new generation of engineers sufficiently versed in biology to formulate original approaches to these diseases.

- Read the press release.

- Find out more about the AXA Research Fund.