Biologists in the Center for Molecular Development and Disease (CMDD) focus on how the human cardiovascular system is formed. 

Using sophisticated animal genetic models, they research the developmental and genetic aspects of congenital heart disease.  

They study how genes that create the heart are turned on and function.  Then they apply this knowledge of how the heart is normally made to generate new heart cells to be used in diseased or damaged hearts.

Researchers are also identifying key genes that have potential as drug targets that can reduce human heart failure in adults.

This program of rational drug design will significantly relieve the devastation of molecular-based human diseases.