Aina Cervera i Barea
Alumni
Project description
Aina Cervera i Barea enrolled in University Medical Center Utrecht in March, 2019 as part of the RESCUE-COFUND PhD Program. The aim of Aina’s doctorate project is to unravel the regenerative capacity of the myocardium, and cardiomyocytes in particular, after being injured. The myocardium is the muscle that enables the pumping capacity of the heart, but the lack of exercise in combination with an unhealthy diet and habits such as smoking, can unleash a cascade of events leading to myocardial cell death. To better understand the physiopathology of this disease in particular, Aina employs preclinical models, mouse and swine in particular, to mimic the myocardial infarct situation in vivo. Different regenerative factors and potential therapeutic compounds are being elucidated and ultimately tested in these models, to determine whether they represent cardioprotective agents and can regenerate the heart.