Olaf Bergmann

Project summary

Formation of new heart muscle cells

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the Western world. The body has a limited ability to generate new heart muscle cells, but it may be possible to enhance this capacity. Olaf Bergmann is investigating how new heart muscle cells are formed, with the aim of laying the foundation for new treatments.

 

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the Western world. A heart attack can result in the loss of up to 25 per cent of the heart muscle cells, partly because these cells have a limited capacity for regeneration. However, Olaf Bergmann’s research group recently demonstrated that new heart muscle cells are in fact generated throughout life.

 

Olaf Bergmann is now investigating the mechanisms involved in the formation of new heart muscle cells. He aims to determine the characteristics of mitochondrial DNA turnover in diseased and ageing hearts. Mitochondrial DNA is found in the mitochondria, which can be described as the powerhouses of the cell. He also aims to identify new molecules that play an important role in the formation of heart muscle cells.

 

These studies will increase our understanding of the heart’s capacity for repair and may ultimately lay the foundation for new treatments for cardiovascular disease.