Efimov Lab

The Efimov laboratory was established in 1994 and has over 20 years’ experience in the fields of cardiovascular engineering, cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia, biophotonics, and medical devices. The laboratory has been funded by NIH without interruption since 1998. During these years my trainees and I have developed, improved, and applied a number of experimental methodologies based on biophotonic imaging to study normal and abnormal excitation of the heart. My principal interest is to improve our understanding of the development and function of the cardiovascular system, and to develop novel diagnostics and electrotherapies for cardiovascular diseases.

Our Cardiovascular Engineering Laboratory conducts research in the field of cardiovascular engineering, biology and physiology, imaging and medical device development. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the industrialized world. Sudden cardiac death occurs due to the development of fatal disturbances of cardiac rhythm known as arrhythmias. The research in the Efimov laboratory is focused on advancing our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis, and on developing novel diagnostic tools and lifesaving anti-arrhythmic therapies. We work on development of novel biological and devices therapies, including low energy electrotherapy of arrhythmia, stretchable and flexible electronics platform, and cell reprogramming strategies. Our basic and applied research is particularly focused on investigation of the human heart physiology and pathophysiology, which provides a clinically relevant platform for novel theory development and high throughput drug screening for cardiac toxicity.