Molecular advances in cardiac and cardiovascular disease

Recent advances in the field of molecular biology have led to a better unde rstanding of the pathological mechanisms of cardiovascular disease. The imp act of these findings will shape the future of treatment modalities for car diovascular disorders. Postulated targets and biological rationale of new t echniques are being developed in a race towards molecular therapies for vas cular diseases. Whether it is modulation of transmembrane cell receptors or phenotypic changes via vectors that mediate gene transfer, there is no dou bt that molecular strategies will be an integral part of the future. Here we examine past and recent perspectives, describe directions and chall enges in cardiac and cardiovascular areas of research, and discuss relevanc e to the field of cardiovascular perfusion.