Cell differentiation and proliferation during development and regeneration

The general research concept of the department of cardiac development and remodelling is characterized by two strategies: (i) a better understanding of processes that lead to proliferation of organ typical precursor cells and their coordinated differentiation during organ development and regeneration; (ii) development of pre-clinical models in which knowledge gained in approach (i) can be used to enable, improve and accelerate tissue regeneration in particular of the heart. Individual research projects are part of this concept and contained in either of these themes. Yet, it is clear that both themes overlap and that such a separation is rather artificial. Nevertheless it might help to distinguish between mostly basic and more applied scientific approaches, which hold a direct medical impact.