HUMAN-BASED ADVANCED CARDIAC SAFETY PLATFORM INTEGRATING MULTILAYER CARDIAC ORGANOIDS, MESH MEA, AND AI-BASED PROARRHYTHMIA RISK ASSESSMENTbroad
HEARTCORE · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-06-01–2030-05-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN · scheme HORIZON-EIC · topic HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN. CORDIS record →
Objective
Cardiac safety testing still relies on animal models or oversimplified in vitro assays that often fail to predict human outcomes, increasing the risk of drug-induced arrhythmias and delaying drug development. HEARTCORE will integrate physiologically relevant, human heart-forming organoids (HFOs) with a multilayer 3D mesh microelectrode array (mesh MEA) and laser-based optoporation, creating a groundbreaking new platform for cardiotoxicity testing and predicting drug responses in the short and long term.A hiPSC-derived advanced HFO model will include a proper cardiac structure of endocardial, myocardial, and epicardial compartments, including sinoatrial node–like cells for replicating 3D electrophysiological properties of the heart. These organoids will be grown into a biocompatible double-layer mesh MEA to enable non-invasive, high-resolution field-potential recordings, spatial repolarization mapping, and 3D signal propagation analysis over time. Optoporation will provide intracellular-like action potentials, while simultaneous calcium imaging and contraction monitoring will yield multiparametric datasets. To translate the data into actionable insights, we will develop a multi-scale in silico model, merging 3D spatial and temporal electrophysiological signatures with drug-specific effects to simulate proarrhythmic risk and deliver mechanistic predictions beyond current methods.For elevated throughput screening, HEARTCORE will feature an optoporation-compatible high-electrode count MEA system with >1,000 channels in multiwell plates for 3D data acquisition and visualisation across the two mesh layers. Advanced software will create authentic 3D electrophysiological maps, overcoming the limitations of current 2D views.HEARTCORE aims to transform cardiac safety testing—improving risk detection, advancing patient-specific disease modeling, cutting drug development costs, and promoting human-relevant, animal-free in vitro models emulating native-like responses.
Beneficiaries (5)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIZINISCHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER | DE | coordinator | €695,000 | |
| MULTI CHANNEL SYSTEMS MCS GMBH | DE | participant | €651,061 | Yes |
| NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHES UND MEDIZINISCHES INSTITUT AN DER UNIVERSITAET TUEBINGEN | DE | participant | €633,750 | |
| FORESEE BIOSYSTEMS SRL | IT | participant | €531,125 | Yes |
| UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA | ES | participant | €482,500 |
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