From Pathophysiology of Heart Failure to Personalized Therapies

Heart Failure Research

Heart Failure is a clinical syndrome with symptoms of dyspnea, fatigue and poor exercise capacity caused by structural or functional cardiac abnormalities. Patients with heart failure are very diverse with different clinical characteristics and etiologies, but their quality of life and life expectancy are generally poor.

 

Our research group studies the pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of heart failure. We perform modern statistical and bio-informatics technology on biomarkers, proteomics, genomics and transcriptomics to gain better insights in the pathophysiology of specific forms of heart failure which should lead to novel and personalized treatment targets. Our team consists of professors, cardiologists, fellows, post-docs, bio-informaticians and statisticians, MD-PhD students and medical students.

In depth

The figure below shows our scientific research and clinical development of novel treatment targets for patients with heart failure. We have stored many samples from different cohorts of patients with heart failure, and perform bio-informatic applications on -omics data retrieved from these samples. This leads to the identification of therapeutic targets and molecule development.  In association with our experimental work, our team is involved in several drug developments programs, both in phase I, II and III.

For an overview of achieved results please see our publication output on the specific project pages or the page of Principle Investigator Adriaan Voors.

 

“I had never thought that scientific research could be so closely related to making patients feel better and live longer.”

Work with us

Ambitious and enthusiastic medical students who are interested in cardiology/heart failure are always welcome to discuss research opportunities. In addition, we have vacancies for PhD positions (1.0 fte). We offer the possibility of a combination of clinical, epidemiological and/or experimental research. A position as a resident cardiology might be possible after successful completion of the thesis.

If you are interested, please contact Prof. Dr. Adriaan Voors, cardiologist: a.a.voors@umcg.nl.

See all vacancies here.