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Learning and Implementation of Advanced Techniques for Cardiac Live Slices Preparation and Simultaneous Optical Calcium and Voltage Imaging

Outcome Report
Awarded in 2024
Postdoctoral Grant
Updated Feb 18, 2026

At a Glance

Heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) remains a leading cause of death because scar tissue formation prevents the heart from restoring lost function. Early evidence suggests that cardiac progenitor cells (CCPs) may be safer, more versatile and better suited for cardiac repair than current treatments. The postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Vladislav Leonov, trained in cardiac slice models and dual optical mapping of voltage and calcium signals to study how CCPs integrate electrically and functionally within heart tissue. Mastering these advanced techniques allows for a greater understanding of cardiac regeneration and the development of safe, more effect therapies for patients with heart failure.

The Challenge

Heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) often results in significant morbidity and mortality due to scar tissue formation and a progressive reduction in mechanical function of the heart. Current treatments cannot replace lost cardiomyocytes or restore contractility. While stem cell therapies hold promise, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have raised safety concerns due to arrhythmias.

Project Goals

The aims of this postdoctoral grant were to:

  1. Train in cardiac live slice preparation and physiological culturing of pig hearts.
  2. Implement dual-channel optical mapping system at UW–Madison.
  3. Investigate the electrophysiological properties of CCP engrafts in swine myocardium.

Results

Dr. Leonov traveled to Baylor College of Medicine and completed intensive hands-on training in slicing and culturing pig hearts under physiological conditions in professor Tamer M. Mohamed’s laboratory. This training was essential for maintaining cardiac tissue viability and physiological characteristics necessary for subsequent optical imaging studies. The current optical mapping system at UW–Madison was updated to the dual-channel optical mapping system with all major hardware components acquired and integrated. Dr. Leonov tested the complete system on mouse cardiac tissue to validate functionality and signal acquisition quality. Dr. Leonov prepared for experimental work investigating the electrophysiological properties and calcium handling characteristics of CCP engrafts in swine myocardium.

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