Jolanda van der Velden 2014 International Biophysics Congress

Jolanda van der Velden

The main focus of the research group of Jolanda van der Velden (Physiology, VU University Medical Center) involves investigation of changes in myofilament protein composition and function, which contribute to impaired cardiomyocyte function in heart failure, and may be target for drug therapy. The research is characterized by a multi-disciplinary approach with strong interaction between fundamental and clinical research. Since human cardiac tissue is scarce an important aspect of my investigation was to optimize the mechanical isolation of single cardiomyocytes for functional measurements and sensitive protein analysis methods. At this moment we are able to perform multiple assays on small human biopsies procured during routine cardiac catheterization. Presently, we study pathomechanisms of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies, which are the most common inherited primary cardiomyopathies and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The seminar will highlight the most recent findings in inherited cardiomyopathies.