Research Focus

Cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells as a cellular model for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The research of our group focuses on cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that carry mutations in cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C). Mutations in cMyBP-C, along with mutations in beta-cardiac myosin (MyHC), are the most common genetic cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a serious heart disease that typically manifests macroscopically as pronounced thickening of the septum and the wall of the left ventricle. At the microscopic level, fibrosis of the heart muscle and a loss of cardiomyocyte alignment (disarray) are evident. These changes lead to progressive heart failure but can also result in arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

For more information, please visit the Konze Research Group’s websites