A grant has been awarded to five scientists from Maastricht UMC+ to conduct research into heart diseases. Six million euros have been released by the European financier ERA4HEALTH to finance projects that, in collaboration with researchers from various European countries, should gain better insight into heart diseases.
In the Netherlands alone, 1.7 million people have cardiovascular disease, according to the UMC+ in Maastricht. In people with heart failure, the blood can no longer be pumped properly, which can lead to shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. In the worst case, it can even lead to hospitalization or death.
Efficient treatment
Although the consequences of cardiovascular disease have already been well identified, this does not apply to the causes. For this reason, the Maastricht scientists from the CARIM research institute want to conduct more research to prevent possible cardiovascular diseases and develop efficient treatments.
Change in genes
Five researchers from the UMC+ focus their research on different causes. For example, researcher and clinical geneticist in training Job Verdonschot wants to focus on the changes in genes that can lead to inflammation and ultimately heart failure.
Special substances
Vanessa van Empel and Marleen van Greevenbroek also want to focus on the role of inflammation. Van Empel wants to investigate how inflammatory responses could lead to better treatment of heart failure. Van Greevenbroek focuses on special substances in the blood that could promote recovery after inflammation.
Natural recovery
With his research, Professor Leon de Windt wants to investigate genes that could naturally repair the human heart after a heart attack
Text Gina van Sprakelaar
Tags: RTV Maastricht Subsidy scientists Maastricht UMC
