PAIR Seminar: Prof. Hélder A. SANTOS of University of Groningen, The Netherlands, delivers “Can We Restore a Broken Heart? Precision RNA-based Nanotherapies for the Next Era of Cardiovascular Medicine”
PAIR Seminar Series
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Date
31 Jul 2026
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Organiser
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
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Time
14:30 - 16:00
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Venue
Senate Room (M1603), 16/F Li Ka Shing Tower, PolyU (Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis) Map
Speaker
Prof. Hélder A. SANTOS
Enquiry
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research info.pair@polyu.edu.hk
Summary
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for more effective and targeted therapeutic strategies. Recent advances in nanotechnology and RNA therapeutics have created unprecedented opportunities to develop precision medicines capable of selectively targeting diseased cardiovascular tissues. This lecture will present our latest research on engineering next-generation RNA-based nanomedicines for the treatment of myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis. Particular emphasis will be placed on the rational design of targeted nanosystems that overcome biological barriers, enhance cellular specificity, and modulate inflammatory and regenerative pathways following ischemic injury. Using clinically relevant preclinical models, we demonstrate how precision-targeted RNA nanotherapies can reduce ischemia–reperfusion injury, attenuate inflammation, and promote functional cardiac recovery. The lecture will also discuss the importance of receptor-specific targeting, advanced nanocarrier engineering, scalable manufacturing, and translational considerations that are accelerating the clinical development of RNA nanomedicines. Together, these advances illustrate how precision nanotechnology is reshaping the future of cardiovascular therapeutics and bringing us closer to restoring the injured heart.
Prof. Hélder A. SANTOS
Professor and Head of Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology
Head of Translational Bionanomicro Theragenerative Medicine Lab
University Medical Center Groningen
University of Groningen
The Netherlands
Prof. Santos (D.Sc. Tech., Chem. Eng.) is a Full Professor and Chair in Biomedical Engineering, and the Head of the Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen. He was also a former Full Professor and Head of Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Pharmacy. Prof. Santos is also the co-founder of the startups Capsamedix Oy and Medixmicro Oy, and was the Coordinator of a large MSCA-ITN P4 FIT network in tendon repair (~ 4.1 m€) with 15 PhD students. He holds an Honorary Adjunct Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, and held previously Visiting Professorships at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and University of Tartu. Prof. Santos research interests include the development of nanoparticles/nanomedicines and biomaterials for biomedical applications, particularly cancer and heart diseases. Currently, he (co)-supervises +40 PhD students and 4 MSCA-postdoctoral fellowships. His lab makes the unique bridge between medical engineering, pharmaceutical nanotechnology, and tissue engineering by combining unique techniques to develop novel therapeutic formulations for translation into the clinic. He is co-author of more than +650 publications (+35000 citations; h-index = 106) and co-inventor of 8 patents. He has +300 invited talks around the world. He has (co-)supervised +60 PhD students and +45 postdocs. His former lab members +10 are now well established professors around the world. He is also in Editorial board member of Advanced Healthcare Materials, Advanced Therapeutics, Journal of Controlled Release, VIEW, Journal of Functional Materials, Precision Nanomedicine, Biomedical Technology, Smart Medicine, among many others. He is Associate Editor of Nano Select, and Drug Delivery and Translational Research, among others. Prof. Santos has received prestigious honours, awards and grants, such as the "Talent Prize in Science" in 2010 attributed by the Portuguese Government, the European Research Council Starting Grant in 2013, the European Research Council Proof-of-Concept Grant in 2018, the Young Researcher Award in 2013 attributed by the University of Helsinki, the Academy of Finland Award for Social Impact in 2016, the Controlled Release Society Young Investigator Award 2021, and the APV Research Award for Outstanding Achievements in Pharmaceutical Sciences 2026. Altogether, Prof. Santos has secured, since 2009, +35 research grants nationally and internationally worth of +25 M€.
Personal Website: https://umcgresearch.org/w/h-a-santos
