School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences

Theme 1 - Novel mechanisms and therapeutic discovery for human heart failure

Theme 1 will address the challenge of lack of translation of preclinical discovery science by employing innovative approaches such as unbiased functional screening for potential therapies, a strong focus on the use of human model systems, and cutting-edge discovery approaches using patient tissue.

We are identifying and addressing unmet needs in our unique London patient population in collaboration with KHP clinicians and engaging with non-cardiovascular researchers to harness complementary expertise.

Calls

There are currently no active open calls

Funded Projects

Four projects have been awarded in the first round of pump-prime funding for theme 1.

Award 1

Lead PI: Daniel Bromage
Co-Investigator: Dr Anna Zoccarato
Project Title: Establishing a novel in vitro model of the human heart to explore immune-cardiomyocyte crosstalk in clonal haemotopoiesis

Award 2

Lead PI: Dr Anna Zampetaki
Co-Investigators: Prof Janaka Karalliedde, Dr Konstantinos Theofilatos
Project Title: Dissecting the Molecular Signature of Diabetic Microangiopathy

Award 3

Lead PI: Dr Anna Zoccarato
Co-Investigators: Dr Anna Zampetaki, Dr Giancarlo Forte
Project Title: Next-Generation In Vitro Cardiac Models with Integrated Vascularization

Award 4

Lead PI: Dr Matthew Stroud
Co-Investigators: Prof Sergi Garcia-Manyes, Dr Rachel Bastiaenen
Project Title: Evaluating the mechanobiological and cellular effects of cardiomyopathy-associated variants in Lamin A/C

Studentships

One PhD studentship has been awarded in partnership with the Translational Research in Advanced Cell & Gene Therapies Doctoral Training Programme. This 3.5-year studentship commenced in October 2025.
Awarded to: Ms Lara Ibrahim
Supervisors: Dr Matthew Stroud and Dr Rachel Bastiaenen
Project Title: Revealing the molecular pathophysiology of novel laminopathy variants from human heart failure patients using tissue engineering and light-sheet imaging

Studentship Opportunities: BHF Centre & EPSRC CDT in Smart Medical Imaging

We are pleased to offer exciting PhD studentship opportunities in collaboration with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Smart Medical Imaging. Two projects are currently available:

Project No.: 2026_010
Epicardial Fat Deposition as a Multiscale Biomarker of Heart Failure
Project No.: 2026_011
Integrating molecular imaging with new therapeutics to diagnose and prevent the development of heart failure

More information about these projects:
https://www.imagingcdt.com/open-projects-2/

How to apply:
https://www.imagingcdt.com/applications/