Utilising Human Heart Tissue for Functional Genomic Characterisation of Cardiovascular Diseases

Utilising Human Heart Tissue for Functional Genomic Characterisation of Cardiovascular Diseases

Advisor/s

Pankaj Saxena, Robert Kinobe, Lisa Chilton

College or Research Centre

College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Science

Summary of Project

To integrate our basic research interests with clinical applied research in cardiovascular medicine, we plan to utilise human tissue (right atrial appendage following CABG surgery) in a number of research projects. Access to these tissue will allow us to study clinical conditions such as diabetes and valvular diseases that are closely associated with cardiovascular conditions. In this approach we will employ combined lipid and proteomic analyses with the overall goal of improving diagnosis and therapeutic interventions in cardiovascular disease. Preliminary specific project proposals will involve the utilisation of general protein analyses such as SDS-PAGE, ELISA assays and qRT-PCR to identify biomarkers for the diagnosis and/or pathogenesis of valvular disease, atrial fibrillation and cardiac failure. The initial phase in these investigations will focus on proteins involved in the following physiological processes: Cardiac energy metabolism. Metabolism of iron and other micronutrients. Regulation of circadian rhythm and sleep disorder. Cardiac cytoprotection

Key Words

atrial appendage; cardiovascular disease; diabetes; proteomics; metabolomics

Would suit an applicant who

Registering for an MSc or PhD

Updated: 07 Apr 2020