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Zhang Lab
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Research

CHD & Cardioprotection & Transplantation

We investigate myocardial adaptation, injury and recovery across congenital and advanced heart disease, translating metabolic and mechanobiological discoveries into cardioprotective, regenerative and systems-of-care strategies spanning surgery, mechanical support and transplantation.

Illustration for the CHD & Cardioprotection & Transplantation research areaCHD & Cardioprotection & Transplantation

Research Area 01 · CHD & Cardioprotection & Transplantation

CHD & Cardioprotection & Transplantation

We investigate myocardial adaptation, injury and recovery across congenital and advanced heart disease, translating metabolic and mechanobiological discoveries into cardioprotective, regenerative and systems-of-care strategies spanning surgery, mechanical support and transplantation.

  • Translational cardioprotection and lifelong CHD care
  • Hypoxia and myocardial metabolic adaptation
  • Mechanical unloading, myocardial recovery and regeneration

Detailed Introduction

Our research examines how developmental stage, hypoxia, metabolic state and mechanical load shape myocardial adaptation, injury and recovery. In cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD), we defined a puberty-associated loss of HIF-1α-dependent metabolic adaptation and are testing metabolism-targeted interventions such as trimetazidine. Across transplantation and advanced heart failure, we study how CIRBP–DHODH ferroptosis defence protects aged donor hearts during hypothermic preservation, and how mechanical unloading activates epicardial NRG1–ERBB4–STAT3 signalling and pentose phosphate pathway-dependent repair. We further investigate why obesity-associated insulin resistance limits LVAD-mediated recovery and whether insulin sensitisation can restore cardioprotection.

Our broader programme addresses extracardiac and treatment-related drivers of myocardial injury, including gut microbiota-derived kynurenine and IL-1α-mediated cardiotoxicity during acute myeloid leukaemia therapy. These mechanistic studies are integrated with multicentre trials, population studies and regionalised-care programmes for CHD. By linking molecular discovery with surgical practice, mechanical support, transplantation and long-term follow-up, we aim to preserve myocardial function, expand treatment opportunities and improve equitable lifelong outcomes for children and adults with heart disease.

Publications in This Area23

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Interested in Collaboration?

Whether it is multi-center clinical research, fundamental mechanistic collaboration or data resource sharing, please feel free to contact us.

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