Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Molecular strategies to treat inherited arrhythmias

Objective

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a leading cause of death in western countries: coronary artery disease is the major cause of SCD in older subjects while inherited arrhythmogenic diseases are the leading cause of SCD in younger individuals. After 25 years dedicated to research of the molecular bases of heritable arrhythmias, the PI of this proposal now intends to pioneer gene therapy for prevention of SCD: a virtually unexplored field. The development of molecular therapies for rhythm disturbances is a high risk effort however, if successful, it will be highly rewarding. The PI has envisioned an ambitious and comprehensive project to target two severe inherited arrhythmogenic diseases: dominant catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and Long QT syndrome type 8 (LQT8). The availability of a clinically relevant model is critical to ensure clinical translation of results: the team will exploit an existing CPVT model and will engineer a knock-in pig to model LQT8. The PI and her team will investigate innovative strategies of gene-delivery, gene-silencing and gene-editing to the heart comparing efficacy of different constructs and promoters. The team will also carefully engineer novel gene-therapy approaches to avoid the development of regional inhomogeneity in protein expression that may facilitate proarrhythmic events. Such a comprehensive approach will provide a most valuable core of knowledge on the comparative efficacy of a broad range of molecular strategies on the electrical milieu of the heart. It is expected that these results will not only benefit CPVT and LQT8 but rather they will foster development of gene therapy for other inherited and acquired arrhythmias.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2014-ADG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PAVIA
Net EU contribution
€ 1 334 029,00
Address
STRADA NUOVA 65
27100 Pavia
Italy
Region
Nord-Ovest Lombardia Pavia
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 1 334 029,00

Beneficiaries (3)