Freiburg's €1.8M research group tackles deadly heart rhythm disorders by 2026

A new interdisciplinary junior research group will commence work at the University of Freiburg in February 2026. The team will investigate cardiac arrhythmias resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Funding of €1.8 million has been secured from the Baden-Württemberg Foundation for up to six years.

The group will concentrate on how mechanical and electrical processes in the heart interact during ischemia—a condition where blood supply to the heart is restricted. Their research will explore mechano-electric feedback mechanisms, which play a pivotal role in irregular heart rhythms.

Dr. Viviane Timmermann, a systems biologist, will helm the project. The team aims to construct data-driven computer models of the heart to enhance understanding of disease mechanisms. These models aspire to advance the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

The funding from the Baden-Württemberg Foundation covers an initial three-year period, with a further three years possible after a successful mid-term review. While the precise number of similar research groups funded by the foundation at other universities in the region over the past five years remains uncertain, this project signifies a substantial investment in cardiac research at Freiburg.

The research group's discoveries could unveil deeper insights into how impaired blood flow triggers perilous heart rhythms. If the mid-term review is affirmative, the project may extend to a full six years. The work is anticipated to contribute to more effective strategies for managing cardiovascular conditions.