Marc Vos was trained as an exercise physiologist and received his PhD training in cardiac electrophysiology. Under his direction, the research program has developed two major strengths: treating heart failure and associated cardiac arrhythmias with heart transplantations or assist devices, and understanding atherothrombosis, including biobanking. In both, new regenerative medical technologies play a role.
The development of ‘assist devices’ occupies a central place. Vos: “The UMC Utrecht is one of only three centers in the Netherlands performing heart transplants, but due to the lack of donors we focus on ‘bridge to transplant’ solutions rather than actual transplants.” Removed hearts are also subject to molecular research to improve treatment and identify new biomarkers.
Regenerative medicine activity focuses on identifying and stimulating stem cells that can be used in treating heart failure or atherothrombosis. The program's Athero-Express biobank contains over 500 tissue samples from cardiovascular patients, with all relevant clinical data. Tracking these patients makes it possible to relate genomics information to potential further development of atherosclerotic disease.
The cardiovascular program is also gaining momentum in two new fields. Vos: “We are incorporating proteomics in our heart failure and atherothrombotic research. We're collaborating with Albert Heck from the Netherlands Proteomics Center in Utrecht and with the Genome Institute in Singapore.” In addition, screening assays are being developed that will allow early recognition of thrombotic diseases and identification of the individual at risk for cardiac arrhythmias.