Welcome to the Department of Cardiovascular Genetics

We are interested in genetic forms of heart failure, in particular familial cardiomyopathies and heart rhythm disorders. Our research projects focus on the genetic causes and molecular and cellular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of those diseases. Prospectively, we are interested in the discovery of novel signaling pathways and molecules which we can target for more specific therapies.

Actually we are investigating

• the zebrafish as a model system system to discover molecular mechanisms of cardiomyopathies
• the role of Cell-cell junctions in the pathogenesis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
• the role of a novel nuclear envelope protein in the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy
• human iPSCs in inherited cardiomyopathie.

Besides the basic science we do, we are interested in the contact to patients and their families providing our clinical expertise in the field of cardiovascular genetics. We offer in our outpatient clinics specific expertise on genetic heart diseases by addressing genetic counselling, comprehensive genetic diagnostics with modern technologies, a broad spectrum of cardiac investigations, lifestyle counselling etc. We also offer the possibility to be part of our research studies.

Remember, that today are only 50% of genetic causes are known and most of the molecular mechanisms remain unclear, there is still a lot to do which is the passion of us.

Kind regards,
Brenda Gerull
Head of the Department