Drew Nassal, PhD

About

Biography

Research in my laboratory focuses on a host of molecular mechanisms which contribute to the patho-physiologic remodeling of the heart and their role in promoting heart failure. Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with projected numbers continually rising, mandating a need for novel therapeutic approaches. A host of stressors including vascular resistance, ischemic and metabolic stress, or genetic triggers can drive heart failure remodeling.

However, what remains a common feature in its progression is hypertrophic growth, or enlargement, of the size and dimensions of the heart muscle. Initially, this hypertrophy can be adaptive, contributing to a distinct pattern of heart growth and sustained heart function.

However, left unchecked, this hypertrophic growth becomes maladaptive and a transition in growth patterns contribute to dilated heart growth and declining cardiac function. We currently have a poor understanding of the mechanisms which govern this transition, yet, observations in our lab suggest that preserving or extending the adaptive growth stage can provide resistance to HF development.

Therefore, our lab seeks to identify the fundamental mechanisms underlying adaptive and maladaptive hypertrophic growth and investigate targeted interventions to maintain and/or restore the adaptive state for HF prevention. These investigations focus on both transcriptional and cytoskeletal regulation to identify critical players involved and test novel therapeutics for potential translational applications. We evaluate measures of heart contractility, extracellular matrix remodeling and fibrosis, and electrical remodeling and arrhythmia as makers evaluating changes to heart performance.

Credentials

Research