Cellular Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pharmacology
Scientic Supervisor / Contact Person
Name and Surname
Eva Delpón
Localization & Research Area
Faculty / Institute
Faculty of Medicine
Department
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Area
Life Sciences (LIF)
MSCA & ERC experience
Research group / research team hosted any MSCA fellow?
No
Research group / research team have any ERC beneficiaries?
No
Research Team & Research Topic
Research Team / Research Group Name (if any)
Cellular Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pharmacology
Website of the Research team / Research Group / Department
Brief description of the Research Team / Research Group / Department
The hallmark of our group is translational research. We record the electrical activity generated by cardiac cells to identify the mechanisms responsible for arrhythmias, discover new therapeutic targets, and design safe and effective pharmacological tools for arrhythmia treatment. Our research group, based in Madrid, is a leading team in cellular cardiac electrophysiology—one of the few dedicated groups in this highly specialized field across Europe. With over 30 years of excellence, we have built a dynamic and competitive environment, consistently publishing in high-impact journals, securing substantial research funding, and training researchers highly demanded by national and international groups. Our state-of-the-art facilities and multidisciplinary approach create an exceptional setting for groundbreaking research. We integrate electrophysiological techniques (patch-clamp) with molecular biology methods (RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, yeast two-hybrid, luciferase assays, etc.) and advanced imaging techniques (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), intracellular Ca²⁺ measurements, immunocytochemistry, etc.) using multiple experimental models including hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, transgenic mice, etc. Importantly, we coordinate and are part of research consortia in collaboration with cardiologists and clinical electrophysiologists. We are eager to welcome talented postdoctoral researchers looking to advance in this field, offering them the opportunity to develop their careers within an internationally recognized team at the forefront of cardiac electrophysiology.
Research lines / projects proposed
Our main focus is the development of advanced therapies for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias associated with heart failure (HF). In Europe alone, over 15 million people suffer from HF, and alarmingly, more than 50% of patients with chronic advanced HF die within five years. Ventricular arrhythmias occur in 80% of HF patients and account for 50% of sudden cardiac deaths in this population. HF disrupts the heart’s electrical activity by reducing cardiomyocyte excitability, impairing electrical impulse conduction, and increasing the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
Currently available antiarrhythmic drugs are contraindicated for HF patients because they block Na+ channels—key components responsible for sodium (Na+) influx. As a result, these drugs further reduce cardiac excitability and increase mortality. In other words, they exacerbate the very problem they are meant to treat.
Our research projects aim to identify a new class of antiarrhythmic drugs capable of increasing, rather than decreasing, Na+ influx into cardiomyocytes. We pursue two complementary strategies: modifying the biophysical properties of Na+ channels and/or increasing the expression of the channel-forming protein Nav1.5 at the cardiomyocyte membrane. Our goal is to shift the paradigm from Na+ channel blockade to targeted excitability restoration. Recent findings from our group strongly support this groundbreaking hypothesis, opening an entirely new path for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias in HF.
Currently available antiarrhythmic drugs are contraindicated for HF patients because they block Na+ channels—key components responsible for sodium (Na+) influx. As a result, these drugs further reduce cardiac excitability and increase mortality. In other words, they exacerbate the very problem they are meant to treat.
Our research projects aim to identify a new class of antiarrhythmic drugs capable of increasing, rather than decreasing, Na+ influx into cardiomyocytes. We pursue two complementary strategies: modifying the biophysical properties of Na+ channels and/or increasing the expression of the channel-forming protein Nav1.5 at the cardiomyocyte membrane. Our goal is to shift the paradigm from Na+ channel blockade to targeted excitability restoration. Recent findings from our group strongly support this groundbreaking hypothesis, opening an entirely new path for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias in HF.
Key words
Application requirements
Professional Experience & Documents
We are looking for a postdoc researcher trained in the field of cardiovascular diseases, specifically in heart failure and/or arrhythmias. Ideally, the candidate should have knowledge in the generation of animal models of heart failure and conducting in vivo experiments in these models.
If you are interested, please send us your complete CV, a letter explaining your motivation to join our group, and a letter of recommendation from your supervisors during your predoctoral period. Don't forget to include your updated contact information.
If you are interested, please send us your complete CV, a letter explaining your motivation to join our group, and a letter of recommendation from your supervisors during your predoctoral period. Don't forget to include your updated contact information.
One Page Proposal
You can attach the 'One Page Proposal' to enhance the attractiveness of your application. Supervisors usually appreciate it. Please take into account your background and the information provided in Research Team & Research Topic section to fill in it.
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