Professor Joost Sluijter

My research bridges regenerative and molecular therapies toward clinically relevant cardiac repair. I lead a multidisciplinary program at the interface of cardiovascular biology, regenerative medicine, and advanced therapeutic delivery, integrating cell and gene therapy, extracellular vesicles, biomaterials, and imaging-guided interventions to treat heart failure and myocardial injury. Over the past decade, my work helped shift the field from classical cell transplantation to cell-free and engineered platforms, including EV-based drug and gene delivery and advanced iPSC-derived cardiac tissues. These technologies are validated in patient-relevant in vitro systems, ex vivo organ perfusion, and large-animal models, with strong emphasis on translation, manufacturability, and safety. Supported by >€14M personal funding, including ERC and Horizon grants, my current focus is precision EV therapeutics, immune-compatible allogeneic iPSC therapies, bioengineered living cardiac support systems.