The Translational Interventional Cardiology Research Group (TIC) focuses on developing innovative technologies and devices for the minimally invasive treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, while also examining the underlying mechanisms involved. A key area of interest is the autonomic nervous system, which innervates most organs and tissues and regulates physiological processes automatically, without voluntary control. Dysregulation of this system can lead to or exacerbate various conditions, particularly cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

TIC is home to a collaborative research environment of clinicians, engineers, and scientists. It utilizes principles of continuum mechanics, pathology, detailed histopathological analysis, and molecular biology to study how the autonomic nervous system innervates various organs, with a focus on the heart (particularly the coronary nerves), kidneys, liver, and spleen. The group also explores innovative interventional strategies to modulate the autonomic nervous system. Such modulation can be achieved through techniques like ablating nerve fibers using thermal energy, injecting neurotoxic agents, or employing pacemaker-like devices to stimulate these nerves.

In addition, the research group possesses extensive experience and expertise in optimizing medical devices, including balloons, stents, valves, and catheters, and thoroughly tests the efficacy and safety of these in vivo in preclinical models in the catheterization lab.

The Research Group is affiliated with the Department of Clinical Research and the Department of Biomedicine. Close research collaborations exist with local and international research groups, such as the Edelman Lab Harvard-MIT Biomedical Engineering Center.