Directors:  Emeritus Professor L.H. Opie and Professor B.M. Mayosi

Institute Profile

The focus of the Hatter Institute is to study: 1) ways of protecting the heart against insults such as lack of blood flow (ischaemia) (Cardiac Protection Unit), and 2) the genetic basis of cardiomyopathy and other forms of heart disease (Cardiovascular Genetics Unit). 

To achieve research excellence, we aim at producing work that achieves publication in the best internationally recognised journals and work that is of relevance to the society in which we live.

We also have an important teaching role, not only within the Medical School, but also by virtue of conferences and courses organised with our sister Hatter Institute at University College London, directed by Professor Derek Yellon. The annual Cardiology at the Limits meeting promotes high level postgraduate education.  It brings together cardiologists from the United Kingdom and all over South Africa to listen to an intense updating on crucial cardiological issues “at the limits” of modern knowledge. 

Research Collaborative initiatives

1.   Division of Lipidology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town.

2.   Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Cape Town.

3.   University of Stellenbosch (Professor Amanda Lochner’s and Associate Professor Hanlie Moolman-Smook’s groups).

Other collaborations

1.     Collaboration with University College London, Hatter Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University of Pavia, Italy

2.     Harvard Medical School, Boston.

3.     Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Medical School, Rochester, Minnesota.

4.     Department of Pharmacology, University of Dijon, France.

5.     Department of Medicine, Turku University, Finland, together with Positron Centre.

6.     Department of Cardiology, University of Geneva, Switzerland