Translational Cardiology (Sossalla/Körtl)
AG Translational Cardiology
Research Focus
The Sossalla Research Group investigates the mechanisms underlying heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, and their impact on human myocardium. In addition, a major focus of our research is the analysis of cardiovascular alterations associated with chronic kidney disease. We combine functional analyses—including electrophysiological recordings and contractility measurements—with molecular and cellular biology approaches. This integrative strategy enables us to directly link functional alterations of human myocardium to their underlying molecular mechanisms. Our research is embedded in a strong national and international network. We collaborate closely with the Kerckhoff Heart Research Institute (KHFI) and the Cluster of Excellence Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI). Furthermore, collaborations with major transplant centers across Germany provide access to a large number of explanted human hearts for translational research. We also investigate myocardial tissue obtained during routine cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting and valve interventions. As part of the German Research Foundation Collaborative Research Center SFB 1213 “Pulmonary Hypertension and Cor Pulmonale” (subproject B10N), we specifically study the effects of atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension on right ventricular structure and function.
By integrating functional, molecular, imaging, and clinical data, we seek to improve our understanding of cardiovascular disease progression, identify predictors of outcome, and contribute to the development of personalized therapeutic strategies and precision medicine.
Human
Living Myocardial Slices
- Human LV, RV, LA/LAA and RA myocardial slices
- Long-term cultivation of viable human myocardium
- Contractility measurements
- Arrhythmia studies and drug testing
- Investigation of molecular disease mechanisms
Human iPSC-CMs
- Electrophysiological stimulation protocols
- Genetic and pharmacological interventions
- Investigation of molecular disease mechanisms
Functional and Molecular Analyses
- Patch Clamp recordings
- Fluorescence microscopy (calcium, sodium)
- Contractility analysis
- Molecular and cellular biology techniques
Team
We are always seeking passionate and driven medical, master and PhD students who are interested in completing a thesis, and joining our translational research team.
If a topic resonates with you, please do not hesitate to reach us out via email – we’d be happy to hear from you!
Selected Publications
- Kortl, T., Hankowitz, N., Stengel, L., Pfeuffer, O., Riedl, D., Schweda, F., Streckfuss-Bomeke, K., & Sossalla, S. (2025). In Vitro Simulation of Hemodialysis Reveals Hemodialysis-Associated Pro-Arrhythmic Effects in a Human Cardiomyocyte Model. J Am Soc Nephrol, 36(1), 133-135. https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.0000000563
- Pfeuffer, O., Koertl, T., Hankowitz, N., Riedl, D., Stengel, L., Maier, L. S., Streckfuss-Boemeke, K., & Sossalla, S. (2024). Indoxyl sulfate deteriorates cardiac electrophysiological function and increases the likelihood of arrhythmias in human ventricular myocardial cells. European Heart Journal, 45 (Supp1). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae666.3671
- Kortl, T., Schach, C., & Sossalla, S. (2023). How arrhythmias weaken the ventricle: an often underestimated vicious cycle. Herz, 48(2), 115-122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00059-022-05158-y (Wie Arrhythmien den Ventrikel schwachen: ein vielfach unterschatzter Circulus vitiosus.)
- Pabel, S., Knierim, M., Stehle, T., Alebrand, F., Paulus, M., Sieme, M., Herwig, M., Barsch, F., Kortl, T., Poppl, A., Wenner, B., Ljubojevic-Holzer, S., Molina, C. E., Dybkova, N., Camboni, D., Fischer, T. H., Sedej, S., Scherr, D., Schmid, C.,…Sossalla, S. (2022). Effects of Atrial Fibrillation on the Human Ventricle. Circ Res, 130(7), 994-1010. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.319718
- Kortl, T., Stehle, T., Riedl, D., Trausel, J., Rebs, S., Pabel, S., Paulus, M., Holzamer, A., Marrouche, N., Maier, L. S., Sohns, C., Streckfuss-Bomeke, K., & Sossalla, S. (2022). Atrial Fibrillation Burden Specifically Determines Human Ventricular Cellular Remodeling. JACC Clin Electrophysiol, 8(11), 1357-1366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2022.07.016
- Bengel, P., Dybkova, N., Tirilomis, P., Ahmad, S., Hartmann, N., B, A. M., Krekeler, M. C., Maurer, W., Pabel, S., Trum, M., Mustroph, J., Gummert, J., Milting, H., Wagner, S., Ljubojevic-Holzer, S., Toischer, K., Maier, L. S., Hasenfuss, G., Streckfuss-Bomeke, K., & Sossalla, S. (2021). Detrimental proarrhythmogenic interaction of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and Na(V)1.8 in heart failure. Nat Commun, 12(1), 6586. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26690-1
- Pabel, S., Ahmad, S., Tirilomis, P., Stehle, T., Mustroph, J., Knierim, M., Dybkova, N., Bengel, P., Holzamer, A., Hilker, M., Streckfuss-Bomeke, K., Hasenfuss, G., Maier, L. S., & Sossalla, S. (2020). Inhibition of Na(V)1.8 prevents atrial arrhythmogenesis in human and mice. Basic Res Cardiol, 115(2), 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-020-0780-8
- Bengel, P., Ahmad, S., Tirilomis, P., Trum, M., Dybkova, N., Wagner, S., Maier, L. S., Hasenfuss, G., & Sossalla, S. (2020). Contribution of the neuronal sodium channel Na(V)1.8 to sodium- and calcium-dependent cellular proarrhythmia. J Mol Cell Cardiol, 144, 35-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yjmcc.2020.05.002
- Pabel, S., Wagner, S., Bollenberg, H., Bengel, P., Kovacs, A., Schach, C., Tirilomis, P., Mustroph, J., Renner, A., Gummert, J., Fischer, T., Van Linthout, S., Tschope, C., Streckfuss-Bomeke, K., Hasenfuss, G., Maier, L. S., Hamdani, N., & Sossalla, S. (2018). Empagliflozin directly improves diastolic function in human heart failure. Eur J Heart Fail, 20(12), 1690-1700. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.1328