The British Heart Foundation has funded cardiovascular research and the development of “digital twin” technology.
Researchers from the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) have been awarded £5 million from the British Heart Foundation as part of the charity’s competitive Research Excellence Awards funding scheme.
The funding is intended to foster a world-class research environment that fosters collaboration, inclusion and innovation to drive breakthroughs that save lives.
The teams from Imperial College London, King’s College London and UCL will receive between £3 million and £5 million over the next five years as part of a £35 million commitment to tackle cardiovascular disease in the UK.
Cutting-edge research
At Imperial, the award will support the NHLI’s cutting-edge research into cardiovascular disease and the potential for wearable sensors, such as smartwatches, to contribute to the creation of ‘digital twins’ – advanced models that reflect an individual’s health.
Professor Manuel Meyer, BHF Professor of Cardiovascular Proteomics at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, said: “I am delighted that Imperial has been awarded this £5 million prize. This achievement highlights our team’s exceptional dedication and unity with our mission to deliver our ambitious plans. Our success is testament to the dedicated leadership of Professor Martin Wilkins, who has led his team to deliver excellent research thanks to the funding of our previous Research Excellence Award.”
“This funding will connect scientists and clinicians, foster new collaborations between bioengineering and chemistry, and translate groundbreaking research into tangible benefits for patients, developing the next generation of cardiovascular talent and pioneering innovative solutions in our goal of advancing cardiovascular health.”
Professor Costanza Emanueli, BHF Head of Cardiovascular Sciences at the NHLI, said: “We are delighted to have contributed to what is now the BHF Centre, alongside Professor Martin Wilkins and other colleagues and investigators, and we are extremely grateful for the BHF’s ongoing support of cardiovascular research and our institution.”
“We are confident that the new BHF centre will go from strength to strength, further strengthening our international networks and links with local communities and schools. We are particularly keen to support the career development of students and research staff in line with the EEDI principles and to increase the diversity of the BHF workforce.”
London’s Cardiac Research Excellence
At King’s College London, BHF funding will support research to improve understanding of the management and treatment of heart failure, while at UCL funding will support several topics including treatments for rare and inherited cardiovascular diseases, early phase clinical trials, a simulation lab and a robotics programme.
Professor Brian Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We are pleased to continue to support the research of these three outstanding institutions to tackle some of the biggest challenges in cardiovascular disease. This funding recognises the fantastic research being carried out in London and will help cement London’s position as a leading hub for cardiovascular disease research.”
“Thanks to generous donations from our supporters, this funding will advance cutting-edge science and lead to life-saving discoveries that can change the devastation caused by heart and circulatory disease.”
BHF Research Excellence Awards enable scientists to quickly launch ambitious projects that serve as a springboard for larger, transformative funding applications.
Imperial, King’s and UCL have so far received a total of around £38 million through the BHF funding scheme.
For more information on all the awards, visit the BHF website
This article is adapted from material provided by the British Heart Foundation.