Imagine your doctor testing heart medications on a 3D-printed replica of your own heart before you ever take a pill. Dr. Zachary Laksman, Heart Rhythm Specialist, Clinician Scientist, and Associate Professor at UBC’s Department of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, is working to make this a reality.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the world’s most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting at least one in four people over their lifetime. As our population ages, this condition places greater strain on the healthcare system, with patients often facing surgical waitlists that exceed a year. Treatment options are limited, and many patients are left struggling even after multiple procedures. Zachary is determined to move beyond this trial-and-error approach and into an era of proactive, highly personalized care.

Two people are working in a lab setting focused on cardiac research. The text on the image mentions "25 years" and includes "Michael Smith Health Research BC" with the phrase "Shaping the future of cardiac care" by Zachary Laksman. A microscope is visible on the table.

Personalized treatment begins at the molecular level 

Zachary started a biobank at St. Paul’s Hospital to study the genetics of AFib. This helped uncover explanations for up to 20 percent of cases and led to cardiogenetic testing being integrated into standard Canadian clinical guidelines.  

Building on this foundation, his team at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation is now performing a “miracle in a dish.” Blood samples are reprogrammed into stem cells, which are grown into beating heart cells and then 3D-printed into working heart tissue. To print these tissues, Zachary’s team partnered with Axolotl Biosciences, a Victoria-based startup founded by Dr. Stephanie Willerth — a past Health Research BC awardee. Utilizing Axolotl’s specialized bio-inks, an automated robot can screen thousands of potential drugs on the printed tissue, instantly identifying safe, effective therapies tailored to each patient. 

Developing game-changing platforms is a true relay race

Zachary stresses the importance of the next generation of researchers who will carry the baton forward. “These projects are never finished and no one can do it alone,” he says. “We really need that next generation of researchers to build a bigger and brighter future.”

This collaborative relay is at the heart of Health Research BC’s support for research talent. By nurturing the brightest minds right here at home, we ensure BC continues to attract and retain world-class talent, transforming today’s boldest ideas into safe, personalized care for generations to come.

Explore more of Zachary’s work and its impact on British Columbians below.

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