Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in Canada and worldwide. It develops when fat builds up in the arteries, forming plaques that restrict blood flow and can ultimately trigger heart attacks or strokes.

While scientists have long relied on animal- and cell-based models to study atherosclerosis, these models don’t always reflect what actually happens in the human body. To address this knowledge gap, Dr. Ying Wang and her research team have adopted a novel technique called multiplex imaging to validate previous findings in human tissues.

Multiplex imaging is a powerful technique developed for cancer research that allows scientists to closely examine many different cell types within a single tissue sample. Dr. Wang’s team applies multiplex imaging to study real human artery tissue samples, either healthy or atherosclerotic, from the Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank at HLI.

With this technique, the team has shown that smooth muscle cells, the most common cells found in blood vessel walls, are key players in plaque development. This is different from the mainstream belief that human atherosclerosis is primarily driven by immune cells like macrophages. Further, Dr. Wang’s lab showed that there are signs of elevated inflammation in smooth muscle cells, such as the release of key factors (interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factors) that are known to propagate inflammation. This work supports previous findings made by other researchers and confirms that multiplex imaging can be applied to cardiovascular research as well.

The use of multiplex imaging could improve how we study and treat atherosclerosis in two ways:

• Improve translational research throughput: Multiplex imaging allows for simultaneous labeling of multiple markers, allowing researchers to characterize the plaque environment better, and making the most of the precious human samples.
• Contribute to the development of new cardiovascular therapies: Multiplex imaging can help connect multiple cellular characteristics with tissue morphologies, which is important for designing anti-inflammatory therapies for cardiovascular diseases.

Looking towards the future, the Wang lab will use multiplex imaging to improve upon their mechanistic insights of human atherosclerosis and its treatments. The new knowledge gained from human tissues will contribute to the development of new models for cardiovascular research to ensure the relevance of these models to human physiology.  

Check out the full research article here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11255771/.

To learn more about Dr. Wang’s Research, please visit the lab website: https://wanglab.med.ubc.ca/

Dr. Ying Wang (second from the left, corresponding author and HLI investigator) and Maria Elishaev (first from the left, first author and HLI PhD Candidate) demonstrating multiplex imaging to Wang lab trainees.

The Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI) is excited to share that the 2024 Annual Report is now live.

2024 Research Snapshot

Click a button to view each graphic.

2024 RESEARCH SNAPSHOT 2024 BY THE NUMBERS

This article is part 2 of a 2-part series. Read part 1: What Happens to a Human Heart After Transplant?

Back to… The Day of the Reunion

2:00 PM – THE VISIT

Two months post-transplant, we arrange for Asher to visit the heart biobank. My body buzzes with anticipation and excitement for the patient and their family. They enter our biobank, a mixture of grief, curiosity, and wariness etched on their faces. The feelings I have are mutual. This moment is their first time seeing their own heart, and it is my first time witnessing someone holding their own heart.

Asher is one of on average 25 heart transplant recipients per year in BC. We walk them through the history of our biobank, our purpose, and what our goals as scientists are. We then show them images of their explanted heart taken fresh from collection. Asher recounts their transplant experience, remarking that it was like a fever dream – dreams known for their bizarre or surreal experiences.

“Are you ready?” I ask. “Here is your heart.”

2:30 PM – THE REUNION

As I unveil the heart, all eyes are drawn to the specimen table, with anticipation and apprehension for what they are about to witness. The heart rests silently, its heartbeat absent. A series of gasps slices through the silence in the heavy air. The atmosphere is tense with anguish, heartache, and awe. How do you comfort someone who has been through this experience? We illustrate to them how their disease manifested causing structural and functional changes to their heart, and eventually requiring a heart transplant. We also show them a healthy heart for comparison, demonstrating the stark physical differences.

At the heart biobank, we do not disclose any medical or clinical information to the patient; we only present information from a research point of view. “Do you want to hold it?” I ask.

2:50 PM – THE DONATION

Asher describes their last days with their old heart struggling to beat. They thought that the day of the operation might be their last day here on Earth. Some heart transplant patients may wait up to 2 years to receive a new heart; some, unfortunately, aren’t as lucky. They express how if it wasn’t for the generosity of the organ donor, they would not be alive today. The heartfelt appreciation from Asher and their family resonates throughout the biobank.

Upon realizing the generosity of their organ donor, Asher realized that they too could carry forward the act of donation. And so, they did, by providing informed consent for their old, explanted heart to remain at the heart biobank, for research.

Each heart holds its own history. Asher is only one of the hundreds of hearts we have here at the heart biobank. Thanks to Asher’s generous donation to the biobank, advancements in heart research can continue.

As a heart biobank technician, I work with and handle hearts daily – something that I have become accustomed to and that has become routine. But that day, witnessing Asher hold their own heart made me see things with a fresh perspective. Each heart has carried a life. This rewarding, therapeutic, and powerful experience highlighted the importance of organ donation for transplant and research – both healthy and diseased hearts have tremendous value for advancing research.

From the apex (bottom) of my heart, thank you for joining me on this journey!

Heartbeats and best wishes,

Coco Ng

If you are living in British Columbia, please register to be an organ donor here, it gives people like Asher a second chance at life.

• Read more about the Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank.
• Read our story on the Biobank staff here.

Coco Ng stands holding a fixed, human heart in the BMCB laboratory space. Photo by Tiffany Chang.

The Day of the Reunion

2:30 PM – THE REUNION 

“Wow… I never in my life expected that I would hold my own heart”, murmurs Asher softly. “This big thing carried me for 55 long years, eh”.

In the Bruce McManus Cardiovascular (Heart) Biobank (BMCB), I stand across from Asher and watch them admire one of their very own organs.

“Quite surreal, isn’t it?”

Let me tell you how we got here – this deep, rich, heart-felt (pun intended) moment. From the combined efforts of the many healthcare departments at St. Paul’s Hospital and the heart biobank team, what follows is a story about a significant day at the biobank – the first time I ever witnessed someone holding their own heart.

Have you ever wondered what happens to a heart removed (“explanted”) during a transplant surgery? You may think that because the heart is diseased, it would be of no use, discarded. But the journey of an explanted heart does not end upon removal. Each diseased heart still holds tremendous value for researchers. Heart researchers at the UBC Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, located in the heart of St. Paul’s Hospital, are dedicated to studying and understanding cardiovascular diseases. This includes giving explanted hearts a second home in our research laboratory, the BMCB. At the heart biobank, we are the final custodians of explanted hearts, preserving these patient-consented organs for research.

The BMCB is Western Canada’s largest and most comprehensive repository of human heart and cardiovascular tissue. Since 1982, the BMCB has collected over 100,000 specimens, including 550+ explanted hearts and other surgically removed tissues. These tissues are retrieved, anonymized, and meticulously processed, all within 24 hours! We use various preservation methods, such as flash-freezing and storing in long-term preservation chemicals, for a wide range of research studies. In a nutshell, this workflow is “biobanking” – collecting, processing, storing, and managing biological samples to advance scientific discovery.

The heart biobank provides researchers from around the world with high-quality tissue and clinically annotated patient data to accelerate discoveries in heart disease. As a biobank technician, I am responsible for all the heart tissue collected at the biobank. My role is critical in bridging the gaps between patients, clinicians, and researchers. I also help these groups understand how heart diseases develop and progress, connecting and mobilizing knowledge from bench to bedside.

2 Months Earlier – The Transplant

9:00PM – THE CALL

The alarm of my heart pager rings. This means that a heart transplant has been scheduled for the following day. It is typical for the heart biobank team to be paged at odd times of the day. Whenever heart transplants occur, multiple units, including the heart biobank team, BC Transplant Society, Cardiac Surgery Department, and Pre- and Post-Transplant Clinic, are involved to ensure the process is smooth and efficient.

St. Paul’s Hospital is British Columbia’s only site for adult heart transplants (BC Children’s Hospital performs pediatric heart transplants); therefore, all explanted hearts (from transplant) now reside with us, at the heart biobank. These hearts serve an important secondary purpose in supporting research, training, and education.

10:00AM – THE PREPARATION

Preparing for the retrieval of today’s explanted heart goes well. We get our tools and equipment ready and coordinate with the operating room team to ensure that the transplant is on schedule.

I go to meet today’s transplant recipient, Asher, to obtain informed consent for use of their explanted heart for research. They are hesitant and unsure about giving consent. I mention that regardless of their decision, they also have the opportunity to visit their explanted heart after surgery. All explanted hearts are kept at the biobank upon removal – even those that are not consented for research use.

Once these preparations are done, it is time for the waiting game.   

1:00PM – THE BIOBANKING 

The heart pager rings. The heart is out. I make my way to the operating room with purpose.

The heart biobank team has to act quickly to preserve the heart tissue before it starts to degrade. Once the explanted heart reaches the biobank, we swiftly begin our biobanking protocol. We first image, weigh, and note down any unusual observations. Then we begin sectioning out small pieces of the heart, including the greater arteries, valves, appendages, coronaries, and muscle. We preserve each of these sections of the heart by four different methods! These biobanking formats enable researchers to engage in a variety of research applications. Some are interested in examining genetic composition, microanatomy, and biomarkers that could lead to the development of therapeutics. Others are interested in how doctors can treat and prevent heart disease better with new tools and drugs. Even though we section out small pieces of the heart, after biobanking, the majority of the organ remains intact.

We follow a standard protocol when biobanking an explanted heart to ensure consistency and quality across each sample. It goes without saying that this standardization is important. What is truly remarkable is that each piece of the heart has the potential to lead to a discovery.

But every so often, the impact of these hearts extends far beyond the lab bench. Part 2, coming next week, follows one such moment: a reunion between a person and their own heart.

Coco Ng stands holding a fixed, human heart in the BMCB laboratory space. Photo by Tiffany Chang.

In today’s fast-paced work environment, prioritizing self-care is no longer optional; it’s essential for maintaining productivity, health, and well-being. On International Self-Care Day 2025, the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI) proudly highlights the efforts of the Workplace Well-being Committee, whose mission is to create a healthier, more balanced environment for all staff.

Building a Balanced Work Culture

The Workplace Well-being Committee, led by Molecular Phenotyping Core Manager Beth Whalen, is dedicated to enhancing both the professional and personal well-being of HLI employees. Their focus is on encouraging a work culture that prioritizes physical, emotional, and mental wellness. Whether through movement breaks, creative activities, or mental health support, the committee’s initiatives encourage us all to reflect on and invest in our well-being.

Promoting Workplace Wellness

Beth Whalen, a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, leads the committee with a clear vision – making wellness a priority. According to a recent 2024 report from Forbes, which surveyed over 12,000 participants, 82% of the workforce is at risk of burnout, highlighting the urgency of initiatives like those at HLI. The Workplace Well-being Committee strives to turn these stats around by offering actionable solutions to combat stress, improve mental health, and build stronger community ties among staff.

Actionable Recommendations for Staff Self-Care

The committee encourages daily self-care practices that are simple yet powerful. Beth emphasizes the importance of taking short breaks to check in with yourself. “A quick pause throughout the day can help you gauge how you’re feeling, allowing you to catch stress or fatigue before it becomes overwhelming,” she explains.

• Daily check-ins: Take a few moments to reflect on how you are feeling. Are you stressed or tired? Taking this time helps prevent burnout.
• Take quick breaks: Whether it’s a 5-minute stretch, a walk around the block, or chatting with a colleague, short breaks recharge your mind and body.
• Mindful movement: Activities like stretching, origami, or scavenger hunts during breaks not only reduce physical strain but also promote creativity and fun.
• Be aware of your mental health: Mental health is just as important as physical health. Beth recommends making use of UBC’s self-paced learning through Workplace Learning as well as the GreenShield app. Both places offer tools and resources for managing both personal and professional well-being.
• Engage in creative and social activities: Join in on workplace activities that allow for creativity and connection. Whether it’s crafting a ceramic “desk buddy” or engaging in a team scavenger hunt, these moments build community and enhance workplace morale.
• Prioritize balance: It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of work, but remember to make time for activities outside of work that help you unwind, like enjoying time outdoors or connecting with loved ones.

Creating a Culture of Care: Past Events and Upcoming Activities

The Workplace Well-being Committee has hosted numerous successful initiatives to promote self-care, such as biweekly 15-minute movement breaks that combined stretching and games. In collaboration with the UBC Thrive campaign, HLI offered creative sessions where staff sculpted and painted their own “desk buddies,” promoting stress relief through artistic expression.

Looking forward, the committee plans to continue its involvement in UBC’s annual Thrive Month in November, offering new opportunities for staff to engage in meaningful wellness activities. Although upcoming events have not been fully discussed yet, one potential initiative is a pet therapy visit during the fall and winter mid-term exams, in collaboration with TAHLI.

In addition, the committee is likely to host an icebreaker/game session to build social connections, a crafty activity to encourage relaxation and creativity, and a nutrition-focused event, such as a trail mix tasting where staff can bring and share their favorite blends. These initiatives are still in the planning stages, but the committee remains committed to creating opportunities for staff to reflect, connect, and rejuvenate.

Join the Movement!

On International Self-Care Day, we reflect on the importance of taking care of ourselves—both in and out of the workplace. Remember, self-care isn’t a one-time event—it’s a continuous practice. Take a moment today to check in with yourself, consider your well-being, and take action to ensure you are supporting your mental, physical, and emotional health. As the Workplace Well-being Committee shows us, even small actions can have a big impact on our overall wellness.

This post was contributed by Rosh Pel, Administrative Assistant to HLI Director Dr. Don Sin and Grants Team member.

At the 2025 Heart Centre Nursing Education Day at St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) and Providence Health Care (PHC), the Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank (BMCB) hosted a Hands-On-Hearts gross anatomy workshop, where cardiac care nurses were offered the rare opportunity to examine human explanted hearts. Participants saw the physical impact of the diseases they treat every day, including the effects of advanced heart failure and implanted devices like the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD).

This year’s theme, Merging History, Best Practice and Compassion in Cardiac Nursing, brought together expert talks, hands-on workshops and opportunities for connection among nursing professionals. Guest speakers covered a range of topics including pregnancy and heart failure, trauma-informed practice, the evolution of cardiac nursing, women’s heart health, and managing heart failure in the context of mental health and substance use disorders. 

The BMCB team, including Dr. Gurpreet Singhera, Coco Ng, Tiffany Chang and Viola Tansuma, showed transplant hearts that revealed structural damage caused by cardiomyopathies, ischemic diseases, and end-stage heart failure. Attendees got to observe, feel, and ask questions about how these conditions manifest physically, which are insights not usually available outside of an anatomy lab.

LVAD workshop: Lived experience and hands-on learning

One standout session was the LVAD workshop, led by SPH nurse and patient educators Rachel Milligan and Josie Mackey, and Clinical Nurse Specialist Wynne Chiu. It followed the patient journey from diagnosis to device implantation, featuring stories from LVAD recipients Mike Mclellan and Naomi Lee. The VAD is a life-saving device used in severe, often end-stage heart failure. When the heart becomes too weak to pump blood properly, the LVAD takes over the pumping function, keeping blood circulating through the body.

Mike, who lives with an LVAD, shared what daily life is like with the device, including how he manages battery life and navigates airport security checks. Hearing directly from Mike offered a unique, powerful perspective on the lived experience of VAD patients, highlighting the importance of patient partnership in understanding the realities of care beyond the clinical setting.

Naomi also shared her experiences of living with a VAD for 10 months. Naomi is a second-year nursing student and heart transplant recipient, who received her new heart at age 20. For the biobank team, it was a special moment to reconnect with Naomi. They first met shortly after her transplant, when she visited the biobank to view her own explanted heart.

Since her transplant, Naomi has redirected her professional path from elementary education to healthcare. She now volunteers with organizations such as HeartLife Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Transplant Research Foundation of BC, and BC Transplant. Motivated by the care she received, Naomi hopes to draw from her lived experience as a patient to give back and support others in the healthcare system.

Hands-On Learning with Human Hearts

Later in the day, the BMCB team led the hands-on session and viewing of failed explanted hearts. The session offered cardiac care nurses the rare opportunity to examine hearts affected by conditions such as myocardial infarction, fibrosis and cardiomyopathy, including one specimen with an implanted LVAD. It also highlighted how biobanking of heart tissues plays a critical role in advancing medical research and improves patient care.

For many cardiac care nurses, this was a unique learning opportunity that offered a firsthand look at how the diseases they treat every day appear in the organ itself. The chance to hold and inspect l actual hearts tied together earlier discussions on heart failure and device therapy, offering a full-circle learning experience. 

Thank you to the Providence Health Care Heart Centre staff for hosting the valuable event and inviting the biobank to take part in this meaningful day of learning.

Dr. Zachary Laksman has received funding from Genome Canada and Genome BC to lead a project with BC-based Axolotl Biosciences, that will use genomics-informed bio-inks to 3D-print heart tissue. The project aims to improve how scientists study heart disease and test drugs before they reach clinical trials.

Improving heart disease models

Heart disease is a leading cause of death, yet drug development is slow, costly and relies heavily on animal models that do not fully reflect human biology. As a result, many potential drugs fail in clinical trials due to poor early-stage testing models.

3D-printed “cardiac organoids” – small, lab-grown models of heart tissue made from human stem cells – offer a more accurate way to study heart disease and test new drugs.

Two new bio-inks for advancing precision medicine

This project will use human genetic information (“genomics-informed”) to develop two new “bio-inks”: the printing materials that, when combined with stem cells, allow scientists to create functional, realistic heart tissue in the lab. This genomics-informed approach allows researchers to account for biological differences between individuals, including sex-based differences and genetic risk factors.

The first bio-ink, called HeartPrint, will be an application-ready platform that will allow researchers to 3D-print human heart tissue for disease modelling and drug testing.

The second model, HeartPrint-M, will be developed using only stem cells and will include factors that help mimic more mature, adult-like heart tissue. This version will include sex-specific formulations, addressing long-standing gaps in how male and female heart differences are studied in biomedical research.

Freshly printed bio-ink (left) is visible. A 3D bioprinter (right) prints bio-ink to create models. Photo courtesy of Axolotl Biosciences.

Led by Dr. Laksman, a principal investigator at HLI, and Dr. Stephanie Willerth, the CEO of Axolotl Biosciences, this project brings together clinical science, bioengineering and genomics. It marks a major step toward safer, faster and more personalized treatment options for heart disease.

The project is being developed in collaboration with Dr. Yuan Yao of HLI and Dr. Leonard Foster of UBC’s Life Sciences Institute. It also receives in-kind support through Michael Smith Health Research BC’s match funding program.

Further Reading

• Read the official project details: Genome Canada – Laksman & Axolotl Biosciences
• Learn more about Axolotl Biosciences: Bioink | Axolotl Biosciences

ABOUT AXOLOTL BIOSCIENCES

Axolotl Biosciences is a Canadian biotechnology start-up based in Victoria, B.C., specializing in 3D bioprinting tools and reagents. The company provides bio-inks and tissue models for use in drug development, disease research and regenerative medicine.

ABOUT DR. ZACHARY LAKSMAN

Dr. Zachary Laksman is a clinician scientist at the University of British Columbia, HLI and St. Paul’s Hospital. His work focuses on cardiac precision medicine through the integration of clinical cardiology, stem cell research, electrophysiology and genomics. His lab is known for developing some of the first “disease-in-a-dish” models for heart conditions, using stem cells to better understand, diagnose and treat cardiac disease.

The Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI) is looking for participants to join the CLOUD Study (Canadian Lung Outcomes in Users of Vaping Devices). Click here to read this post in French.

CLOUD is a multi-year study investigating the effect of vaping on lung health.

Vaping is increasingly popular with both adolescent and adult Canadians, but the long-term health impacts remain unknown. We believe that the tools we currently have to detect lung disease in people who vape may be insufficient and propose new ways to find lung injuries that may impact them over the course of their lives. These include exercise testing, new imaging techniques, and new breathing tests that will demonstrate how vaping may harm their lungs. We will use these tools in both adolescent and adult Canadians to give those who vape important information on the consequences of vaping. 

*Please note that interacting with this post (ex, through likes and comments) can identify you with the research, impacting your privacy.

Who can participate in this study? 

Adults (Aged 19+)

• Able to provide informed consent.
• At least 19 years of age.
• Fall into one of the following 4 categories:
  • You do not smoke or vape
  • You only smoke cigarettes
  • You only vape
  • You smoke cigarettes and vape
• Optional Bronchoscopy and Pulmonary MRI
• Enrolled in the main study 

Adolescents (Aged 12-18)

• Able to provide informed consent.
• Aged between 12 years to less than 19 years old.
• Fall into one of the following 2 categories:
  • You do not smoke or vape
  • You only vape

What will this involve?

1. Baseline study visit: Questionnaires, lung function tests, exercise test, blood sample collection, and pulmonary MRI scan (optional for adults).
   • Adult-only procedures: Bronchoscopy (optional) and chest CT scan.
   • Adolescent-only procedures: Induced sputum sample collection.
2. 18 months after baseline: Questionnaires, lung function tests.
3. 36 months after baseline: Questionnaires, lung function tests, exercise test, blood sample collection, and pulmonary MRI scan (optional for adults).
   • Adult-only procedures: Bronchoscopy (optional) and chest CT scan.
   • Adolescent-only procedures: Induced sputum sample collection.

If you would like more information or wish to participate in this study, please visit https://cloudstudy.ca, email respiratory.research@hli.ubc.ca or call 604-806-9465.

PARTICIPATION RÉMUNÉRÉE À UN PROJET DE RECHERCHE : ÉTUDE CLOUD (Canadian Lung Outcomes in Users of Vaping Devices)

CLOUD est une étude pluriannuelle qui s’intéresse aux effets du vapotage sur la santé pulmonaire.

Le vapotage est de plus en plus populaire auprès des jeunes et des adultes canadiens, mais on ne connaît pas ses effets à long terme sur la santé. Nous craignons que les outils dont nous disposons pour détecter les maladies pulmonaires chez les personnes qui pratiquent le vapotage soient insuffisants. C’est pourquoi nous proposons de nouveaux moyens de détecter les lésions pulmonaires qui peuvent les affecter. Il s’agit notamment de tests d’exercice, de nouvelles techniques d’imagerie et de nouveaux tests respiratoires qui démontreront l’effet dommageable du vapotage sur les poumons. Nous utiliserons ces outils autant pour les adolescents que pour les adultes, afin de donner aux vapoteuses et aux vapoteurs d’importantes informations sur les conséquences du vapotage.

*Sachez que l’interaction avec cette publication (par une mention « J’aime » ou un commentaire, par exemple) peut vous identifier, ce qui a un impact sur votre vie privée.

CRITÈRES DE PARTICIPATION

Adultes (19 ans et plus)

• Être en mesure de fournir un consentement éclairé.
• Être âgé(e) d’au moins 19 ans.
• Entrer dans l’une des 4 catégories suivantes :
  • Vous ne fumez pas et ne vapotez pas
  • Vous ne fumez que la cigarette
  • Vous ne faites que vapoter
  • Vous fumez la cigarette et vous vapotez
• Bronchoscopie et IRM pulmonaire facultatives
• Personnes inscrites à l’étude principale

Adolescent(e)s (12-18 ans)

• Être en mesure de fournir un consentement éclairé.
• Être âgé(e) de 12 ans à moins de 19 ans.
• Entrer dans l’une des 2 catégories suivantes :
  • Vous ne fumez pas et ne vapotez pas
  • Vous ne faites que vapoter

Qu’est-ce que la participation implique ?

• Rendez-vous initial: questionnaires, tests de la fonction pulmonaire, test d’effort, prélèvement sanguin et IRM pulmonaire (facultative pour les adultes).
  • Interventions réservées aux adultes : Bronchoscopie (facultative) et TDM thoracique.
  • Interventions réservées aux adolescents : Collecte d’échantillons d’expectorations induites.
• 18 mois plus tard: questionnaires, tests de la fonction pulmonaire.
• 36 mois après le rendez-vous initial: questionnaires, tests de la fonction pulmonaire, test d’effort, prélèvement sanguin et IRM pulmonaire (facultative pour les adultes).
  • Interventions réservées aux adultes : bronchoscopie (facultative) et TDM thoracique.
  • Interventions réservées aux adolescents : collecte d’échantillons d’expectorations induites.

Informations et inscriptions : https://cloudstudy.ca ou respiratory.research@hli.ubc.ca ou 604 806-9465.