The use of novel methods, such as whole organ decellularization, to study the role that the local extracellular environment (matrix stiffness, morphology and composition) plays in the progression of myocardial disease and how it relates to the potential effectiveness of cell therapy based methods of cardiac repair.
Investigation into the physicochemical signaling mechanisms (growth factors, electrical stimulation, mechanical stimulation) responsible for the development of healthy myocardium from cardiac precursor or stem/ progenitor cells.
The design, development and evaluation of new methods for cardiac repair following myocardial infarction (“heart attack”) and heart failure, inclusive of tissue engineered ventricular myocardium created in vitro for implantation in vivo.
