Zaher ElBeck

My research aims to uncover new molecular mechanisms that protect the heart during ischemic stress. I focus on how stress-adaptive signaling, microvascular regulation, and cardiomyocyte responses interact in myocardial infarction. I am currently establishing an independent translational research line in ischemic heart disease, integrating experimental models with human cohort studies and human cardiac organoids to identify pathways with future clinical relevance.

My research interests lie in myocardial infarction, coronary microvascular biology, cardiomyocyte stress adaptation, and translational cardiovascular medicine. I am particularly interested in how stress-responsive signaling pathways regulate communication between the heart muscle and the coronary microvasculature during ischemic injury. To address these questions, I combine molecular biology, functional genomics, experimental cardiovascular models, human cohort material, and human cardiac organoids. The aim is to define clinically relevant mechanisms that can be translated into targeted gene- or RNA-based therapies and biomarkers for ischemic heart disease.

I am interested in supervising motivated master’s and exchange students who are passionate about cardiovascular research and interested in carrying out a project in the field. Students with an interest in experimental or translational cardiac biology are very welcome to contact me by email.