Summary
My research team has engaged in a variety of research efforts to direct stem cells toward cardiogenesis, to assess the role of nuclear transport during stem cell differentiation, and optimize their properties for cardiac commitment.
These efforts include developing techniques by which direct injection of stem cells in a murine model of cardiac infarction engrafts and repopulates the diseased heart with cardiac cells derived from the stem cells. The ultimate goal is to establish cardiovascular regenerative medicine as the new therapeutic modality for heart disease.
Our team also has gathered preliminary data indicating significant variation in the cardiogenic potential of stem cells among patients. Based on these findings, Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Health Clinic, Department of PM&R, and Cardiovascular Research Laboratory are joining forces to introduce stem cell science into the innovative practice of prophylactic medicine to advance personalized wellness.
This project explores the individual variation in the number of circulating progenitor cells and their potential to differentiate into cardiac tissue. We're also examining the individual correlation between the cardiogenic potential of circulating progenitor cells and cardiovascular disease risk factors, risk indicators and clinical outcome.
These findings have the potential to help researchers identify novel biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk, severity, and prognosis; an individual's self-repair capacity; and the restorative/regenerative effectiveness of secondary prevention therapies.