Cardiovascluar Stem Cell Biology

Research Interests

  • 1. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

    Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a powerful model system for medical discovery and translational research. They can be used for regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and disease modeling. iPSCs are also a powerful model system for investigating the effects of environmental risk factors such as cannabis, e-cigarettes, marijuana, and air pollution on cardiovascular disease.

    ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06371937

    https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06371937?term=inference%20&rank=3c

  • 2. Studying the Effects of Cannabis on Vasculature (SECV)

    Cannabis is commonly used globally. It is associated with psychiatric problems, but the effects on the cardiovascular system are unclear. In this project, the investigators plan to study the effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system. This will be done using blood samples to measure inflammation. As a control for this project, the investigators would like to test the inflammation levels of participants who do not use cannabis. This study will provide important information on the long-term cardiovascular effects of cannabis. Future studies will investigate the effects of the CB1 receptor genistein on cannabis-induced cardiovascular disease.

    ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05581368

    https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05581368?term=SECV&rank=1

  • 3. Genistein in trAnSthyretin recePtor Amyloid caRdiomyopathy (GASPAR)

    Heart failure is linked to inflammation, and genistein is an anti-inflammatory with no serious adverse side effects. In this study, we will investigate the effects of genistein in humans with heart failure. Preclinical studies suggest that genistein could prevent transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), a type of heart failure characterized by protein accumulation in the heart and causing restrictive cardiomyopathy. ATTR-CM has a poor prognosis with limited treatment options. This Phase 1b/2a study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of genistein in patients with ATTR-CM. The focus is on its impact on inflammatory and cardiometabolic biomarkers, along with the effects on cardiac function and exercise capacity.

    ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06634108

    https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06634108?term=gaspar&rank=3

Publications