On January 1st, 2009, the National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and the Paris Descartes University created the Paris-Cardiovascular research Center (PARCC) at the Georges-Pompidou European Hospital (HEGP). The official grand opening occurred on September 8th, 2009, in the presence of the Minister for Research and Higher Education and the Minister of Health.

PARCC has succeeded in bringing together an important critical mass of basic and clinician scientists, who share a vision and common objectives in the field of cardiovascular diseases, in a single location (4,200 m2). This unique site merges large and complementary areas of expertise in order to stimulate the generation of new knowledge in biology and cardiovascular medicine using multiple approaches. A major component of our efforts also centers on the training of students, postdoctoral research fellows, junior faculty, residents, and cardiology clinical fellows.

PARCC scientists are conducting projects spanning basic molecular and cellular biology to integrated physiology and pathophysiology, biomarkers, genetics and epidemiology, with the goal of furthering the understanding of major cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure and sudden cardiac death, kidney diseases and organ rejection. Translational research is an integral part of the mission of the PARCC, in close connection with clinical laboratories and departments of HEGP

All team leaders, as well as senior researchers, are experts internationally recognized by their peers in their respective field, which contributed to the reputation of the PARCC as a national and international leader in cardiovascular research. In response to the unique scientific and infrastructural requirements, PARCC has developed a multiscale phenotyping core facility spanning from molecular pathology and transcriptomics to in vivo life imaging, as well as technology services and administrative, financial and technical support.