Experimental Genetic Cardiology

Millions of patients worldwide suffer from heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic, deadly and costly syndrome, and we currently have no cure. Thus, research into its underlying molecular basis is necessary in order to understand the disease mechanisms, and thereby, design effective medical therapy to improve patient outcome.

Heart failure is often familial, suggesting a genetic cause.

We are a basic science cardiology group working on experimental models of heart failure, with particular focus on genetic heart failure. We are based at IEMR at OUH and UoO, and have extensive national and international research collaboration. We combine a range of molecular biology techniques and analyses, and aim at unravelling pathophysiological processes and mechanisms underlying heart failure.

In particular, we are interested in understanding the role of proteoglycans and titin in the heart.

Our experimental models and samples include heart biopsies from patients, mouse models with overexpression or knock-out of proteins, mouse models with human disease-causing mutations (e.g. familial HCM and DCM), heart tissue from mice and rats, and cultures of cardiac cells such as fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes.

Dr. Ida Gjervold Lunde is principal investigator and group leader at the Institute for Experimental Medical Research. In close collaborations with the Christensen, Tønnessen and Carlson Research Groups at IEMR.