A team led by Prof. Stefanie Dimmeler from Goethe University Frankfurt is researching how ncRNA can be used to heal damage after heart attacks or to stabilise blood vessels in aneurysms. While ncRNA used to be regarded as genetic ‘’junk‘’, it is now clear that these molecules fulfil essential regulatory functions. In particular, microRNA, an ncRNA subgroup, plays a central role due to its ability to ‘fine-tune’ gene networks.
Therapies such as blocking the harmful microRNA-92a have already achieved initial clinical success. This method improves blood flow and heart function after a heart attack and shows the potential to pave new ways in personalised medicine.
The research is being driven forward by collaborations within the Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI) Cluster of Excellence and the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). This collaboration combines basic research with clinical application and lays the foundation for pioneering therapies.
Source: Goethe University Frankfurt, Science Magazine "Forschung Frankfurt"
