Project description
Understanding the mechanisms behind spontaneous resolution of atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation, the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, affects millions in the EU. Not only does it cause chest pain, fatigue, and weakness, but it can also lead to more serious complications and even death. Interestingly, most cases do not progress but spontaneously resolve after the initial episodes. The mechanisms are not known. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SASQUATCH project aims to develop biomedical models of spontaneous termination based on a dynamic behaviour in systems called ‘transient chaos’. The team will leverage digital twins – computational models replicating the behaviour of cardiac muscle cells – to investigate the origins and precursors of spontaneous termination at an ionic level.
Objective
"We commonly assume our heart maintains a steady rhythm, a crucial aspect of our well-being, often predictable until it suddenly isn't. Cardiac arrhythmias, marked by abnormal heart rhythms resulting from electrical impulse irregularities, affect a significant number of individuals. The most prevalent arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (AF), a progressive condition afflicting over 7.6 million people aged 65 and older in the EU. Symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, and weakness not only diminish the quality of life but also lead to additional complications and possibly death. Interestingly, most initial AF episodes spontaneously resolve, a phenomenon that remains incompletely understood despite substantial advancements in knowledge over the years. Particularly enigmatic is the triggering mechanism for such spontaneous termination.
To tackle this challenge, we need innovative and advanced biomedical models capable of exploring the intricate mechanisms behind spontaneous termination. One such mechanism, known in the mathematics community as transient chaos, plays a significant role in this endeavor. In recent times, digital twins, i.e. computational models simulating biological cells or tissues, have rapidly gained prominence, aiding the exploration of new pharmacological and clinical therapies. The field of cardiology is no exception, with digital twins effectively replicating the behavior of cardiomyocytes (normal rhythm, spontaneous termination, and arrhythmia) within digital hearts. We intend to employ these digital twins to delve into the origins and precursors of spontaneous termination at an ionic level with ""Searching for Arrhythmia Solutions by Quantifying and Unraveling Atrial Transient CHaos"" (SASQUATCH), opening the door for the development of novel AF treatment methods.
The synergy between fellow and host is ideal for this biophysical (and fundamentally interdisciplinary) project, as it combines their respective expertise in biophysical modelling."
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.