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Researchers ID genetic cues for a big heart

Duke researchers discovered a gene called Raf that acts as a switch to turn on Yorkie, making fly hearts grow bigger. The study sheds light on the genetic circuitry of signals governing growth and may help understand how human hearts respond to disease.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Signaling·DateFeb 3, 2015

Scientists develop an engineered cardiac tissue model to study the human heart

Researchers have created an engineered cardiac tissue model using human embryonic stem cells, which exhibits significant similarities to human heart muscle. The model displays spontaneous contractile activity and responds to electrical stimulation, providing a promising platform for developing reliable models of the human heart.

Breakthrough in adult heart repair

Researchers have made a significant discovery in adult heart repair by identifying the Hippo pathway as a key regulator of cardiomyocyte proliferation. This breakthrough has the potential to improve heart function after a heart attack and reduce the severity of heart disease.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalDevelopment·DateNov 19, 2013

New 'biowire' technology matures human heart by mimicking fetal heartrate

Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new method to mature human heart cells by applying electrical pulses and simulating fetal heart rates. This discovery offers a fast and reliable way to create mature human cardiac patches for various applications, including drug screening and transplantation.

Fruit fly research may lead to better understanding of human heart disease

Researchers have identified a connection between fruit fly genetics and human heart disease, revealing that certain genes play a role in both embryonic and adult heart function. The study found TBX20 mutations in humans with structural congenital heart abnormalities and heart muscle dysfunction, suggesting its potential involvement in ...

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2008

Protein overexpression at heart of heart failure

Increased expression of an accessory subunit of L-type calcium channels is linked to altered channel behavior in human heart failure. Researchers have identified a causal role for this protein overexpression in the development of cardiac dysfunction.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 13, 2007

Fruit fly's beating heart helps identify human heart disease genes

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a method to visualize the heartbeat of fruit flies, enabling them to identify genetic mutations associated with human heart disease. The team inserted a mutated gene into the fly genome and observed its effects, revealing similarities with human dilated cardiomyopathy.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2006