Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure and myocardial infarction, are associated with loss of functional cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells). Since the heart has a limited regenerative capacity, it is not able to replace these cardiomyocytes on its own. At the forefront of research, attempts to regenerate heart cells by injecting stem cells that can potentially repair a damaged tissue has gained significant traction. However, recent findings suggest that factors secreted by stem cells — including small extracellular vesicles (EVs) — are capable of regenerating damaged heart tissues, circumventing the need and ramifications of cell-based therapies.
This project aims to explore novel approaches to regenerate the damaged heart (for example following myocardial ischemia) using exosomes derived from stem cells and potential design of exosome-based nanoparticles of therapeutic interest. A focus on state-of-the-art high-resolution mass spectrometry to understand fundamental cardiac developmental — and repair processes will promote the recapitulation of cardiac repair. Such therapies will directly improve life qualities by repairing the “broken heart”.