Z01 - Animal models and human Engineered Heart Tissue

The insufficient mechanistic understanding and lack of effective treatments for HFpEF relates to inadequate animal and tissue models replicating human disease. Here, we will use a modular approach to combine diverse risk factors and harmonize phenotyping from small to large animal models to generate clinically compatible data. To complement the in vivo data, we provide patient derived stem-cells differentiated into cardiomyocytes and grown in 2D and 3D. The project is responsible for a harmonized phenotyping infrastructure, SOPs, guidance for improved experimental design, and the generation and sharing of compatible datasets between projects.

Graphical Abstract: Z01 supports the standardized generation and phenotyping of cell and animal models in the CRC. This includes the central animal model (HFD+ L-NAME - male and female mice, young and aged) as well as  the HFpEF minipig. We will maintain the MS Teams Document server for SOPs and communication, data management and -integration between subprojects (listed below). SHEPHERD SHared ExPertise for Heart Experimental Research  Data; SOP standard operating procedure; QC quality control; EHT engineered heart tissue.