The project is funded by the Academy of Finland is a consortium project between Tuula Heinonen's group at FICAM and Sampo Tuukkanen's group at Tampere University. Project description: Animal models are widely used in research and industry to test cardiac side effects and cardiotoxicity of new drug molecules and other chemicals as well as to be used in cardiac drug development.
Background
Due to the physiological and functional differences between species the results are not necessarily applicable to humans. Therefore standardized cellular models similar to human situation are urgently needed.
The main object of this project is to develop human like cardiovascular model based on human pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes that are combined with the human cell based vascular platform. An integrated sensor and measurement system for monitoring of the physico-chemical parameters, beating frequency, QT interval and beating force will be developed. The developed model system would be widely applicable to assessment of toxicity, adverse effects and efficacy and to be used as useful tool in biomedical research. Further it can be modified to specific cardio disease models.
Funding source
Academy of Finland
Contact persons
Tuula Heinonen
Professor
tuula.heinonen [at] tuni.fi
+358 50 574 9705
Sampo Tuukkanen
Associate Professor
sampo.tuukkanen [at] tuni.fi
+358 40 541 5276