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Research Overview
Andrea is a research scientist addressing fundamental questions of how the heart develops in early vertebrate embryos.
Her lab has identified the origin and migration trajectories of cardiac progenitor cells from when these cells are first 'born' through to them forming a simple contractile heart tube. Funding from BHF has supported PhD students and post-doctoral researchers. All of them have gone on to successful careers either in pharmaceutical industry, academic research, science communication or project management.
“It is a really fascinating process, which we are beginning to understand at the genetic level. This also provides insights into the aetiology of congenital birth defects, which can range from mild to more severe and debilitating. Better knowledge in this area supports genetic diagnosis as well as regenerative medicine.”
The Embryo Heart
The heart forms really early in an embryo, any issues arising at those stages can often lead to abortive development and loss of an early pregnancy. Serious malformations, such as for example cardia bifida - two separate heart tubes that do not fuse, is not compatible with embryo survival. Some of the genes acting at these early stages are also involved in cardiac differentiation. This knowledge is being used in bioengineering and biotechnology, for example to derive cardiomyocytes from stem cells.
Connecting Without Borders
Andrea says that the network will help to enhance scientific collaborations and promote cross-fertilisation and interactions between clinicians, clinical scientists, and basic biomedical researchers.