Professor Stephane Heymans

Cardiologist and Research Scientist since 2003 focusing on the molecular mechanisms of heart failure, looking at the interplay between inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes. Unraveled the key role of structural and non-structural matrix proteins and RNAs, including microRNAs, matrix metalloproteinases, collagens and matri-cellular proteins, in mediating cardiac inflammation, fibrosis and dysfunction. His heart failure research focuses on heart with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) and dilated cardiomyopathies (DCM) (www.hfresearch.eu)SH is acknowledged for developing a clinical care program and related cohorts of non-ischemic CMP, myocarditis and HFPEF patients at the MUMC (> 1400 patients cohort and biobank of HFPEF and DCM patients with > 12 yrs FU). His program brings together immunologists, microbiologists, geneticians and molecular cardiologists to study the role of genetics, viruses, inflammation and other environmental factors in cardiomyopathies.