BHF to commence groundbreaking heart regeneration research

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is launching a new research programme which will aim to discover methods of repairing and replacing damaged heart muscle tissue.

Dubbed the Mending Broken Hearts project, the scheme will involve stem cell research and developmental biology focusing on means of regenerating heart tissue in the aftermath of events such as heart attacks.

It will be based in part on studies of anatomical processes seen in creatures such as the zebrafish, which are able to re-grow portions of their own hearts if necessary.

The charity is now attempting to raise 50 million pounds in funding for the initiative, which aims to provide tangible, applicable results within around ten years time.

BHF medical director Professor Peter Weissberg said: "Scientifically, mending human hearts is an achievable goal and we really could make recovering from a heart attack as simple as getting over a broken leg."

The BHF was founded in 1961 and now plays a key role in funding UK-based heart disease research.