Our team’s research focuses on developing new therapies for heart failure, which currently has no specific treatment. Using human stem cell cardiac organoids, we screen for new molecules that can alleviate or treat symptoms of heart disease. A critical feature for development is the use of in vivo animal models to assess these candidate molecules. Together, our human stem cell and animal platforms provide a powerful framework we can use to develop and evaluate new drugs.
Impact
Patients with heart failure often die without a transplant. Even after successful transplants, patients may experience life threatening issues from ongoing immunosuppression.
Using human stem cell derived organoids to discover potential drugs, we aim to delay or prevent the need for transplants.
Organoids have limitations in predicting how these drugs will behave in the body, therefore animal models are critical for translation from lab bench to effective treatment.
reNEW research
We have developed complementary human stem cell organoids and mouse models of heart failure with similar genetic variants. We are now screening small molecule libraries in these models. Once we identify “hits” in these compounds, we will screen efficacy and potency in preclinical animal models. These early in vivo studies will help shape future drug development and provide valuable information to support future commercial expansion.
Image description
This image shows the fluorescent stained apex (tip) of the left ventricle of a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy at 20x magnification. Here, you can see the complex organisation of cardiac muscle fibres and nuclei in the heart.
Credits
Rebecca Sutton, Kevin Watt, Research Assistant, Heart Regeneration and Disease Laboratory, MCRI.
