Category: Prediction and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease


Jeffrey O. Bush, Ph.D.

Research Interests:

Signaling control of mammalian morphogenesis and congenital disease

Summary:

Our lab studies basic mechanisms by which signaling between cells coordinates mammalian morphogenesis. Understanding this control has significance beyond its fundamental importance in development since birth defects are the leading cause of death for infants during the first year of life. We utilize multiple approaches based in mouse genetics to understand fundamental signaling processes as they relate to development and disease with particular foci in the craniofacial and respiratory systems. In addition to mouse genetics approaches, we utilize human ES/IPSCs, biophysical approaches, multiomics, and live imaging to understand the cellular and molecular control of morphogenesis.

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Christina Theodoris, M.D., Ph.D.

Research Interests:

Gene regulatory networks, machine learning, and cardiovascular disease

Summary:

Our lab studies how genes interact within networks to direct normal heart development and how those networks are disrupted in cardiovascular disease. Using a combination of computational and experimental approaches, we map the disrupted gene networks to enable the design of therapies that correct them back to the healthy state.

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Di Lang, Ph.D, MS

Research Interests:

Cardiac arrhythmias, sinoatrial node, calcium signaling, heart failure, stem cells, optical mapping

 

Summary:

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia and is associated with the significant increase in the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. My research aims to understand the membrane nanodomain mediated compartmentalized cellular and molecular functioning and regulation of proteins in the atrial physiology and pathology and developing therapeutic strategies targeting the cell cytoarchitectures using animal models, primary cardiomyocytes and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Specifically, I explore the compartmentalized molecular mechanisms of heart rhythm disorders (cardiac arrhythmias) and heart failure from multiple levels: from protein expression, signaling pathway regulation, and sub-cellular localization, protein-protein interaction, to electrical impulse propagation and repolarization of an intact heart. I develop and utilize multiple quantitative cutting-edge high-resolution imaging techniques on tissue, cellular, and microdomain levels as well as develop image processing algorithms.

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Akinyemi Oni-Orisan, PhD

Research Interests:

Pharmacogenomics, Cardiovascular drugs, Health disparities

Summary:

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, affecting almost 100 million adults and costing over $300 billion. Death from cardiovascular disease had been steadily declining since the 1970s due in part to remarkable advances in pharmacotherapy, but more recently has started to worsen. Although the reasons for this reversing trend are likely multifactorial, it is evident that better optimization of therapy may help to improve this recent worsening. In particular, there exists considerable interindividual variability in response to cardiovascular drugs. We hypothesize that the discovery and clinical validity of molecular biomarkers for cardiovascular disease drug response will allow clinicians more precise select cardiovascular pharmacotherapy regimens, thereby improving population-wide cardiovascular health outcomes. The overall research goal of my group is to improve pharmacological regimens for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease through precision medicine. To accomplish this objective, we combine computational approaches in pharmacogenomics, pharmacometrics, and pharmacoepidemiology using electronic health record-linked biobanks. In addition, only ~14% of participants from all genome wide association studies are of non-European descent, despite accounting for ~86% of the global population. This underrepresentation has the strong potential to exacerbate health disparities. Thus, another goal of our group is to ensure that study populations of genomics research studies are inclusive so that advances can benefit all. In accord with our overall research objectives and the approaches that we employ, we are currently investigating genetic determinants of efficacy and safety for hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor therapy in diverse populations.

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Priscilla Hsue, MD

Research Interests:
Inflammation, Immunology and Cardiovascular Disease

Summary:
I oversee a multidisciplinary team which is studying the role of inflammation in cardiovascular disease with a focus on HIV.  Our work includes descriptions of cardiovascular manifestations in HIV, elucidation of mechanisms underlying this disease process, and proof-of-concept therapeutic interventions to decrease CV risk with potential impact on HIV cure.

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Nevan J. Krogan, Ph.D.

Research Interests:
Systems biology, quantitative unbiased approaches, proteomics, genetic interactions, proteinprotein interactions, post-translational modifications, cancer, infectious diseases, cardiac development, psychiatric disorders.

Summary:

Our research focuses on fundamental biological mechanisms, because cures to many diseases have been revealed by unexpected discoveries in the basic sciences. We use and develop complementing technologies that allow the unbiased study of the cell. We create maps to study how proteins work together in cells, and how this changes during different diseases, including infectious diseases, cancer as well as neurological and psychiatric disorders. We strongly believe that impactful research is accomplished when diverse groups of scientists work together, and therefore we are working in close collaboration with national and international experts from different disciplines on all of our projects.

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Stella A. Bialous, DrPH, FAAN

Research Interests:

Tobacco control, health policy, nursing, public health, capacity building, smoking cessation, cancer, non-communicable diseases, tobacco industry, global health, health diplomacy, sustainable development goals.

Summary:

Dr. Stella Bialous’ research focuses on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, tobacco industry monitoring and building nurses’ capacity for tobacco control nationally and internationally. Dr. Bialous has consulted with the World Health Organization’s Tobacco Free Initiative for over 15 years. In 2003, she received the American Legacy Foundation’s Sybill G. Jacobson Adult Award for Outstanding Use of Tobacco Industry Document. In 2012, she received the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care Distinguished Merit Award and is currently the Society’s President.

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Arthur Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.

Weiss

Research Interests:
Cell Surface Molecules and Molecular Events Involved in Lymphocyte Activation

Summary:
Dr. Weiss studies on how the functions of cells of the immune system are regulated. The immune system protects individuals from infections and malignancies. However, it is also involved in undesirable destructive responses, such as in autoimmune and allergic diseases as well as atherosclerosis and transplant rejection.

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Nelson B Schiller, M.D.

Schiller

Research Interests:
Dr. Schiller specializes in the use of echocardiography in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. His research interests center around the quantitation of left ventricular function by quantitative two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler.

Summary:
Measuring the heart has been a preoccupation of civilizations since ancient Egypt. Measuring the heart using noninvasive techniques that are free of ionizing radiation has riveted the attention of modern medicine because knowledge of the size of the heart’s anatomic parts provides powerful diagnostic and therapeutic information. Dr. Nelson B. Schiller a member of the Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, CVRI and John J. Sampson-Lucie Stern Endowed Chair in Cardiology, has spent his career investigating the application of echocardiography to the precise measurement and clinical application of the volume, weight and hemodynamics of the chambers and valves of the heart. His work is currently centered on the Heart and Soul Study (Mary Whooley, MD PI), where echocardiography measurements are being related to outcomes of heart disease.

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Jeffrey E Olgin, M.D.

Olgin

Research Interests:
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Arrhythmias, Mechanisms, Remodeling, Cardiac Fibrosis, Atrial Fibrillation, Cardiac Ablation, Mouse models, animal models, mouse electrophysiology, optical mapping, atrial fibrillation ablation, clinical trials.

Summary:

Mechanisms of arrhythmias, remodeling and cardiac fibrosis, atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, sudden death, prediction of atrial fibrillation, prediction of sudden death.
Dr. Olgin’s basic research lab is interested in atrial and ventricular remodeling and how these processes occur to develop a substrate for atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. His work has demonstrated the circuit for human atrial flutter and has demonstrated the importance of atrial fibrosis as a cause for atrial fibrillation. He is currently interested in how TGFß signaling is regulated in the atria to produce atrial fibrosis and atrial fibrillation. His lab is translational in that he utilizes a spectrum of techniques and studies that span from mouse, large animal physiologic models, human tissue, human biomarkers and genetic approaches to understanding the disease. He also has active studies in understanding the remodeling that occurs in the ventricle in the setting of heart failure and myocardial infarction to create the substrate for sudden death and ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation.
Dr. Olgin also runs the UCSF Cardiology Clinical Coordinating Center. He is PI of the VEST study, a multi-center, international randomized study to determine whether a wearable defibrillator vest can reduce the big early sudden death rate post-MI.

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Mary J. Malloy, M.D.

 

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.

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Robert W Mahley, B.S., Ph.D., M.D.

Mahley

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.

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