See All

Vascular biology and atherothrombosis

Metabolism, obesity and metabolic diseases

Developmental biology and congenital anomalies

Pulmonary biology and disease

Ion channels and arrhythmias

Muscle biology and heart failure

Prediction and prevention of cardiovascular disease

Advanced technologies

Kaveh Ashrafi, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Research Interests: Genetics of fat regulation and neurobiology of feeding behavior Summary: Obesity is a major risk factor associated with many diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, arthritis, and certain forms of cancers. The prevalence of obesity reflects the combination of high calorie diets with sedentary lifestyles. However, genetic predispositions play profound roles in determination of an individual's fat. How genetic and environmental factor interact to determine fat content and how excess fat accumulation causes disease processes are poorly understood. To identify genes that underlie fat regulation we use the genetically tractable worm C. elegans. This system has allowed us to discover novel fat regulatory pathways, compounds that alter fat content, and probe the neural circuits that regulate fat and feeding.

Frances M Brodsky, B.A., D. Phil. Professor Research Interests: REGULATION AND FUNCTION OF CLATHRIN-MEDIATED MEMBRANE TRAFFIC Summary: Critical pathways of human nutrition are controlled by clathrin proteins that are present inside cells. Clathrins control uptake of cholesterol from the bloodstream and uptake of glucose into skeletal muscle, processes that influence heart disease and diabetes. The laboratory focuses on understanding molecular aspects of clathrin function for insight into cardiovascular disease.

Robert V Farese, M.D. Professor In Residence Research Interests: Cell Biology of Energy Metabolism Summary: Dr. Farese is an expert on the biology of obesity. His work over the past 15 years has focused on energy and fat metabolism. Using a variety of organisms, such as yeast and mice, his group identified and determined the functions of many of the enzymes of fat synthesis. They identified many of the genes that regulate fat storage in cells. His work has broad implications for cell biology, the understanding of complex diseases such as type 2 diabetes, and the development of biofuels. Dr. Farese recently shifted a part of his laboratory's interest to studying neurobiology and neurodegenerative disease, particularly frontotemporal dementia (FTD). He is currently co-director of a new effort, the Consortium for FTD Research (CFR) to study the biology of FTD and develop cures.

Christopher J Fielding, Ph.D. Professor Research Interests: Cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), caveolae, signaling, lipid-binding, atherosclerosis, cholesterol-binding proteins, plasma membrane Summary: The research in our laboratory deals with the formation, activity and turnover of high density lipoprotein (HDL), the Ògood cholesterol' component of plasma lipoproteins. HDL lowers peripheral cell cholesterol levels by promoting cholesterol transport to the liver. It regulates signaling across cell membranes by controlling the cholesterol content of lipid rafts and caveolae, cell surface complexes of signaling proteins. Finally, HDL opposes inflammation when it acts as a scaffold for enzymes that bind and break down oxidized lipids to harmless by-products. Low HDL is a strong indicator of increased risk for human atherosclerotic heart disease. The development of HDL-raising drugs has recently accelerated. Our ability to raise plasma HDL levels will depend on defining the molecular mechanisms by which HDL is formed and recycled.

David G Gardner, M.D. Professor in Residence Research Interests: Cardiovascular endocrinology, natriuretic peptides, natriuretic peptide receptors, vitamin D, nuclear hormone receptors, growth and hypertrophy in cardiovascular system and kidney, obesity-related cardiomyopathy. Summary: Our laboratory is interested in understanding the role that hormones play in the control of growth and function in the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels). We are particularly interested in vitamin D and the natriuretic peptide hormones, two classes of hormones that have beneficial effects on cardiovascular function.

John P Kane, M.S., M.D., Ph.D. Prof Research Interests: Structure and function of lipoproteins; genetic determinants of arteriosclerosis Summary: The Kane laboratory focuses on the discovery of the native structures of lipoproteins ( proteins that carry cholesterol so that we can better understand how they are involved in the development of heart disease and stroke. We are also active in the discovery of alterations in genes that lead to heart disease and stroke.

Robert W Mahley, B.S., Ph.D., M.D. Director Research Interests: I. Plasma lipoprotein metabolism ¥ Hepatic and intestinal origin of plasma lipoproteins; ¥ Apolipoprotein structure and function, especially apolipoprotein (apo) E and apoB; ¥ Characterization of cell surface receptors for lipoproteins; ¥ Role of the liver in cholesterol homeostasis. II. Relationship of plasma lipoproteins to the development and progression of atherosclerosis ¥ Role of diet in progression of coronary artery heart disease; ¥ Effect of apoE production in the artery wall on inhibition of atherogenesis. III. Role of apoE in the nervous system ¥ Effect on peripheral nerve injury and repair; ¥ Role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease; ¥ Effect on neuronal cytoskeleton. IV. Turkish Heart Study ¥ Director of epidemiological study to determine the risk factors responsible for coronary artery disease in Turkey; ¥ Characterization of genetic polymorphisms responsible for low HDL-C levels and metabolic syndrome in Turks; ¥ Co-director of physician continuing education program for Turkish doctors and medical students in the area of cardiovascular disease. Summary: My research has focused on the structure and function of apolipoprotein (apo) E, specifically its critical role in cholesterol homeostasis and atherosclerosis and, more recently, in Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration. ApoE regulates the clearance of plasma lipoproteins by mediating their binding to lipoprotein receptors and is also involved in peripheral nerve regeneration, lipid transport in the nervous system, and cytoskeletal stability and neurite extension and remodeling. A goal of our research is to develop a drug that will block the detrimental effects of apoE4 in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.

Mary J. Malloy, M.D. Senate Emeritus Research Interests: Molecular mechanisms in lipoprotein metabolism; genetic basis of metabolic disorders of lipoproteins and of arteriosclerosis Summary: My chief research foci are the discovery of previously unknown disorders that affect the metabolism of cholesterol and other lipids, and the discovery of genes that are associated with the risk of heart attack and stroke. Identification of these diseases and genetic markers of risk will lead to improved prevention and treatment of coronary disease and stroke.

Takashi Mikawa, M.S., Ph.D. Professor In Residence Research Interests: Morphogenesis, development, body axis, patterning, cell-to-cell communication, cell architecture, cell fate diversification, cardiovascular system, cardiac conduction system, central nervous system, haemodynamics, growth factor signaling. Summary: The establishment of extremely complicated structures and functions of our organ systems depends upon orchestrated differentiation and integration of multiple cell types. Our group focuses to explore a common developmental plan for successful organogenesis, by investigating the mechanisms involved in the differentiation and patterning of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

David Pearce, B.A., M.D. Professor of Medicine Research Interests: Epithelial biology as it relates to cardiovasculare function: hypertension, fluid and electrolyte regulation. Summary:

Kevan M Shokat, Ph.D. Professor Research Interests: DESIGN OF DRUGS TO TREAT CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, CANCER, AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES. Summary:

Didier Y. R. Stainier, Ph.D. Professor Research Interests: Vertebrate organ formation/cardiovascular development/endoderm, liver, pancreas and gut development and regeneration/stem cell differentiation/lipid transport and metabolism Summary: My lab investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development, function and regeneration of several vertebrate organ systems including the cardiovascular system. We use the zebrafish to study these questions as this model organism presents several unique advantages including the ability to conduct large-scale screens and is also highly amenable to live imaging.

Allison Wanting Xu, M.Sc., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Research Interests: Hypothalamic regulation of energy balance, obesity and type 2 diabetes Summary: Our lab's major research focus is to understand the mechanisms by which energy balance is regulated. We use a combination of mouse genetics, whole body physiology and real time imaging approaches to elucidate the function of specific hypothalamic neurons and how they integrate peripheral metabolic signals under distinct physiologic conditions.