The Basic and Translational Cardiovascular Research Program of the Department of Cardiology relentlessly pursues cutting-edge research and novel therapies to improve patient outcomes, reassure families, and move science forward for children with heart disease everywhere. The Department has a long history of innovation — From the first child’s heart surgery 80 years ago to the first cardiac fetal intervention 60 years later, Boston Children’s Heart Center has shaped and reshaped pediatric heart care the world over.
With a deep bench of cardiovascular researchers, we have a world-class program in discovery and translational science that strives to change the paradigm of care for young heart patients. As we look to the future, we know that redoubling our efforts around cardiac research will only be more critical, as new technologies and insights lead to better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of heart disease and give us new tools to save and improve children’s lives.
Current research efforts
Current research efforts include:
- Understanding the genetic basis of congenital heart disease
- Accelerating therapeutic development through engineered human induced pluripotent stem cell models of cardiovascular disease
- Using novel insights into the pathogenesis of inherited heart diseases such as Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, and Barth Syndrome to pioneer new therapies
- Augmenting the regenerative capacity of the heart
- Developing oxygen-carrying nanoparticles to enhance outcome from cardiac arrest
