Scholarship & Fellowship

The goal of this project is to evaluate the role of DNA epigenetic modifications and their role in mediating the association between arsenic exposure and CVD in participants of the Strong Heart Study (SHS).

Basic Research

Basic Research

Basic Research

Basic Research

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are medical devices proven to prevent sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias. Their decisions are based solely upon the intra--?cardiac ECG. This is incomplete information since up to 1/3 of patients experience an 'inappropriate' shock within the first 1-3 years of receiving the implant. Receiving a shock is associated with increased mortality as well as emotional trauma.

Basic Research

The past 5 years have seen a dramatic increase in the abuse of synthetic cathinones (e.g., MDPV and methylone), which are marketed as 'bath salts,' and are widely available for purchase on the internet and in local shops as 'safe' and 'legal highs.' In addition to a high potential for abuse, 'bath salts' also have a high potential fr toxicity, characterized by severe cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric complications.

Adiponectin has been well established as an insulin sensitizer to suppress glucose production and regulate hepatic lipid metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying adiponectin action remain largely unknown. Our laboratory identified for the first time an adiponectin receptor interactive protein, APPL1, which plays an essential role in adiponectin signaling. Subsequently, we showed that APPL2, an isoform of APPL1, acts as integrated Yin-Yang regulatory machinery with APPL1 to regulate adiponectin signaling in cells.