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, with individual awards of up to £20,000.

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