We are identifying, prioritising and validating therapeutic nucleic acids that will leverage endogenous reparative processes to generate new heart muscle, promote vessel formation and resolve fibrosis.
REACT members have pioneered the concept that small non-coding RNAs, mRNAs and cDNAs can be identified by screening and then administered to achieve cardiac regeneration.
Therapeutic targets include stimulating cardiomyocyte proliferation, inducing the formation of blood and lymphatic vessels, modulating the immune response and counteracting cardiac fibrosis. Existing targets developed within and beyond REACT will be progressed through proof-of concept studies.
To identify new targets we will use multiple cutting-edge screening approaches.
High throughput screening (HTS) is made possible by large HTS facilities at each of our principal university partners and the availability of whole genome siRNA, miRNA, anti-miRNA libraries and cDNA libraries coding for all cytokines and growth factors encoded by the genome.
Unbiased transcriptomics and proteomics (single cell and spatial) from both animal models and patient cohorts will allow us to identify nodal factors that determine immune cell function for targeting to induce cellular reprogramming.
Identification of novel anti-fibrotic targets will be achieved by performing new screenings in human cardiac fibroblasts to identify antifibrotic small ncRNAs and cytokines, along with CRISPRi screenings for antifibrotic pathways.
Collaborate with us
If you have relevant expertise, intellectual property or facilities that could help us tackle this challenge, we want to hear from you.
Contact us by email and our operations team will direct you to members working in this area.