Development and Application of Optimized Cardio-Specific Ad Vector-based Systems for In Situ Establishment of Biological Pacemakers

This project aims at the development of a “Biological Cardiac Pacemaker” as a therapeutic approach to cure cardiac insufficiencies summarized as Sick-Sinus-Syndrome using murine in vitro and in vivo models. We intend to generate a biological pacemaker by direct reprogramming of working myocardial cells using optimized programming TF combinations in conjunction with our smart-adenoviruses – a system that combines newest and safest adenoviral vector (AdV/HCAdV) technology and individually tailored bispecific adapter proteins. The described concept is scientifically unique and of highest clinical relevance.

This project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) PU 188/19-1.