Projects

Our work began with trying to dissect the genetics of atrial fibrillation, the most common abnormality of the heart rhythm. Over the last decade we have used large scale genome wide association studies as well as exome and genome sequencing studies to find common and rare genetic variants associated with atrial fibrillation. Genetic analyses are also underway for many other cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, electrocardiographic traits, valvular diseases and vascular disorders. Since it is essential to link a disease associated region to specific genes, we have a series of epigenetic analyses of the normal human heart underway.

As a part of the Precision Cardiology Laboratory, we are performing single cell/nucleus sequencing for in human and animal model systems. The PCL itself is an experiment and part of a unique collaboration between the Broad Institute and Bayer in which scientists from both organizations work together in a shared laboratory space at the Broad. Current efforts are focused on single nucleus sequencing of the normal and disease samples from the human cardiovascular system.

In recent years, we have used the genes that we have identified for cardiovascular diseases as new potential therapeutic targets. Since developing a new therapy requires a fundamental understanding of the gene function, we try to fully characterize target genes of interest. Projects can include the development of knockout cell lines or mice, proteomic analyses, imaging, and assay development. These projects have been developed in collaboration with the CDoT team at the Broad and with Bayer.