Research Projects
Our lab focuses research efforts on better understanding the genetics of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Explore our research projects:
Genetics of atherosclerosis
Our team is investigating a wide range of tools to understand the genetic basis of atherosclerotic vascular disease, including family history, linkage studies, candidate gene-association studies, genome-wide association studies and genome sequencing. Read more about our research on the genetics of atherosclerosis.
EHR-based genomic discovery
We're conducting genetic studies that use the electronic health record (EHR) of patients and addressing the challenges of using EHR in research. Our work includes developing and implementing approaches for leveraging biorepositories with EHR systems for large-scale genomic research, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), sequencing and structural variation. Read more about EHR-based genomic discovery.
EHR-based genomic medicine implementation
A major focus of our work is EHR-based implementation of genomic medicine. Our work is helping overcome barriers to the adoption of electronic health records and their use to receive, store and present complex genomic information for clinical use and incorporate clinical decision support to help providers practice individualized medicine. Read more about EHR-based genomic medicine implementation.
Familial hypercholesterolemia
Our lab is pursuing strategies to advance the early detection and prevention of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), including an automated method to rapidly identify cases of familial hypercholesterolemia in electronic health records and creation of an ePhenotyping platform based on validated clinical criteria for FH diagnosis. Read more about familial hypercholesterolemia.
Proteomic markers for vascular disease
Our work on proteomic markers is helping develop methods to predict adverse outcomes in patients with stable coronary heart disease. We're also investigating proteins that may be associated with cardiovascular death, fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and heart failure. Read more about proteomic markers for vascular disease.
Arterial function and arterial-ventricular interaction
Our lab is investigating factors that influence arterial function and the effect of arterial function on ventricular function, including use of speckle tracking echocardiography, arterial tonometry and arterial load-analysis software. We're also assessing the association of a measure of arterial stiffness called cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) with LV function and structure. Read more about arterial function and arterial-ventricular interaction.
Peripheral artery disease
Our research on peripheral artery disease (PAD) spans epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, biomarkers and outcomes. This work also includes use of the electronic health record to study informatics approaches for detecting peripheral artery disease and to conduct population-based epidemiologic studies. Read more about peripheral artery disease.
Vascular diseases biorepository
Our lab maintains a vascular diseases biorepository for common vascular diseases. This biorepository aids in the discovery of novel biomarkers (including genetic markers) of such common vascular diseases as peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysm. This work is aided by the use of electronic health record (EHR)-based algorithms to ascertain conventional risk factors. Read more about the vascular diseases biorepository.
Collaborators
To help advance scientific discoveries about the genetics of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and hereditary lipid disorders and to more quickly translate findings to clinical care, our lab collaborates with numerous other researchers within Mayo Clinic and around the U.S. Read more about our collaborators.