Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiovascular tissue engineering (CVTE) is a promising alternative to the current treatment strategies, which can only delay or prevent disease progression. CVTE is based on the use of artificial and biodegradable materials which can be implanted directly in the patient’s body and replace, for example, damaged blood vessels and heart valves. Over time, these materials should gradually transform into living biological tissues that match the healthy native tissue in terms of form and function. Sandra Loerakker will work on the development of mathematical models that mimic the interactions occurring in this environment and, thus, predict the emergence of organization and associated performance of the implanted biomaterials. “If successful” - says Loerakker – “this project will have a tremendous impact on the development of guidelines for ensuring the successful regeneration of cardiovascular tissues, which represents a breakthrough towards creating superior cardiovascular replacements.”