Search

Marie-José Goumans: Cultured heart cells

Video

Tissue patches for broken hearts

Cultured heart cells

The Netherlands has approximately one million cardiac and vascular patients. For years heart and vascular diseases were the number one cause of death. Thanks to new treatments fewer people die from a heart attack, but the number of patients with a chronic disease continues to increase. At the Leiden University Medical Centre researchers look for ways to repair the heart with the body’s own cells.
 

Researcher

Marie-José Goumans

Marie-José Goumans (1968) investigates the use of stem cells in repairing the heart after a heart attack.
After a heart attack, damaged heart muscles and blood vessels must both be repaired. Goumans studies how to use the stem cells of auricles - tiny pieces of the heart that can be removed without causing problems - to build the best heart muscle cells. Goumans takes a broad interest in science and society. Each year she devotes some of her time to teaching classes on stem cells and regenerative medicine at Dutch secondary schools.

Institute

  • De Jonge Akademie
  • Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen
  • Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
  • Universiteit Leiden

Credits

Produced by: Fast Facts, Mediaridders
With the support of: The Young Academy

Made by: Jasmijn Snoijink
In cooperation with: The Young Academy Office
Camera & editing: fiveminutes.tv
Music: SproetS
Graphic design: SproetS

Thanks to:
All members of The Young Academy
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW)
Iris Koopmans
Marja van der Putten
Hugo van Bergen