Michael Laflamme
Profile: University Health Network
Department: Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
My laboratory is broadly interested in the use of stem cells for cardiac repair, but with a particular emphasis on the preclinical development of cardiac therapies based on human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Much of our recent work has focused on understanding and improving the electrophysiological properties of hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, as the electrical immaturity and automaticity of these cells represents a significant barrier to their successful translation. We have ongoing research efforts aimed at 1) deriving specialized cardiac subtypes from hPSCs, 2) promoting the structural and functional maturation of hPSC-derived ventricular myocytes, 3) characterizing and improving the electrical behavior of hPSC-derived cardiac grafts in injured hearts, and 4) testing the safety and efficacy of hPSC-based therapies in preclinical models of myocardial infarction.