Past Presentations

Speaker:

Nicola Neretti, PhD

Associate Professor of Biology Associate Director of the Center on the Biology of Aging Brown University

Speaker:

Yoram Rudy, PhD

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Washington University in Saint Louis Member, US National Academy of Engineering Fellow, US National Academy of Inventors

Speaker:

Crystal M Ripplinger, PhD, FHRS, FAHA

Professor and Vice Chair for Research and Administration Department of Pharmacology University of California Davis School of Medicine

Speaker:

Michael Sanguinetti, PhD

Speaker:

Caitlin O’Meara, PhD

Associate Professor of Physiology
Cardiovascular CenterGenomics Sciences and Precision Medicine CenterMedical College of Wisconsin

Speaker:

Erhu Cao, PhD

Speaker:

Marcus G. Pezzolesi, PhD, MPH

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Faster Drug Trials using Al, ‘Omics, and many single-subject studies

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Dr. Kirk discusses the challenges involved with repairing the sarcomere without stopping the heart, analogous to repairing a car engine without stopping the car. His work builds on prior studies from the late 1960s that examine how heart muscle becomes weak in heart failure. Currently, Dr. Kirk explores the role of BAG3 and other associated proteins in the failing heart.

Dr. Dibella discusses the technical mechanism and physics involved with generating an MRI image and the relevance of imaging in the cardiology clinical setting. The seminar concludes with a discussion on the challenges of obtaining images and future directions for improving MRI imaging to obtain better results in the cardiovascular system.

Speaker:

Dr. Knowlton begins the seminar with a look at traditional myocarditis. The Knowlton Lab investigates possible genetic and/or environmental factors which compromise the cell membrane and allow a virus to enter the cell much easier than under normal conditions. Dr. Knowlton concludes with a discussion of COVID-19 effects on the cardiovascular system and possible treatment approaches, including a discussion on monoclonal antibody treatment of COVID-19 as it pertains to the heart.

Speaker:

Dr. Donato’s findings suggest the majority of cardiovascular death is due to arterial disease. His laboratory investigates the capped ends of chromosomes, also known as telomeres, and uses translational research genetic models to explore possible interventions to preserve telomere length and arterial health.

Speaker:

Dr. Delmar’s findings suggest that a mutation in the PKP2 gene can cause the muscle cells of the heart to be replaced with fatty tissue causing the normally strong but flexible heart, to be more rigid and weak. This disease may at first be quite subtle with effects such as diminished performance, but can advance to more serious effects including heart failure and sudden cardiac death.

Speaker:

Dr. Rudy’s discussion of his current work follows disease progression starting with ion channels located inside the cells of the heart, where structural changes cause electrical activity of the heart to change. These changes often have a dramatic impact on the larger components causing deleterious effects in larger systems such as cells, tissues, organs and even the entire organism. Dr. Rudy developed Non-Invasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) to aid in the detection and treatment of these cardiovascular anomalies.

Speaker: