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PAIR seminar : Can we restore a broken heart? Precision RNA‑based nanotherapies for the next era of cardiovascular medicine
On 31 July 2026, Prof. Hélder A. SANTOS, Professor and Head of the Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology and Head of the Translational Bionanomicro Theragenerative Medicine Lab at the University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “Can We Restore a Broken Heart? Precision RNA-based Nanotherapies for the Next Era of Cardiovascular Medicine”. The seminar attracted 43 onsite participants and an online audience of over 15,800 viewers through live broadcasts across various social media platforms. During the seminar, Prof. Santos highlighted the need for more effective treatments for cardiovascular diseases, which remain the leading cause of death worldwide. He discussed recent breakthroughs in nanotechnology and RNA therapeutics, explaining how these advances are driving the development of precision medicines capable of selectively targeting diseased cardiovascular tissues, offering new therapeutic opportunities for conditions such as myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis.
Prof. Santos also addressed the key challenges facing the clinical application of RNA-based therapeutics, including poor stability, limited bioavailability and insufficient targeting efficiency. He demonstrated how rationally designed nanocarriers can overcome these barriers by protecting RNA molecules, enhancing cellular uptake and improving tissue specificity. By integrating biomaterials science, pharmaceutical nanotechnology and tissue engineering, his team has developed a range of targeted nanosystems that expand the potential for the clinical use of RNA medicines.
Highlighting several recent advances from his laboratory, Prof. Santos presented innovative nanoparticle platforms designed to modulate inflammatory and tissue repair processes following cardiac injury precisely. Results from preclinical studies demonstrated that these precision-targeted nanotherapies can effectively reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury, attenuate inflammation, and promote functional cardiac recovery and tissue regeneration. He also shared the latest research outcomes from his team on RNA interference-based nanomedicines and targeted delivery systems for atherosclerosis, further highlighting the promising role of nanotechnology in cardiovascular medicine.
Looking ahead, Prof. Santos emphasised the importance of receptor-specific targeting, advanced nanocarrier engineering and scalable manufacturing in accelerating the clinical translation of RNA nanomedicines. He noted that continued progress in these areas is bringing personalised therapies capable of repairing damaged heart tissue closer to reality, paving the way for a new generation of treatments for cardiovascular disease.
Event date: 31/07/2026
Speaker: Prof. Hélder A. SANTOS
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
Prof. Santos also addressed the key challenges facing the clinical application of RNA-based therapeutics, including poor stability, limited bioavailability and insufficient targeting efficiency. He demonstrated how rationally designed nanocarriers can overcome these barriers by protecting RNA molecules, enhancing cellular uptake and improving tissue specificity. By integrating biomaterials science, pharmaceutical nanotechnology and tissue engineering, his team has developed a range of targeted nanosystems that expand the potential for the clinical use of RNA medicines.
Highlighting several recent advances from his laboratory, Prof. Santos presented innovative nanoparticle platforms designed to modulate inflammatory and tissue repair processes following cardiac injury precisely. Results from preclinical studies demonstrated that these precision-targeted nanotherapies can effectively reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury, attenuate inflammation, and promote functional cardiac recovery and tissue regeneration. He also shared the latest research outcomes from his team on RNA interference-based nanomedicines and targeted delivery systems for atherosclerosis, further highlighting the promising role of nanotechnology in cardiovascular medicine.
Looking ahead, Prof. Santos emphasised the importance of receptor-specific targeting, advanced nanocarrier engineering and scalable manufacturing in accelerating the clinical translation of RNA nanomedicines. He noted that continued progress in these areas is bringing personalised therapies capable of repairing damaged heart tissue closer to reality, paving the way for a new generation of treatments for cardiovascular disease.
Event date: 31/07/2026
Speaker: Prof. Hélder A. SANTOS
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
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