Discovery: Role of microRNA in Anticancer Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Doxorubicin (DOX, an anthracycline) is a widely used chemotherapy agent against various forms of cancer. However, it is known to induce dose-dependent cardiotoxicity that leads to adverse cardiac complications. Our lab investigates the role of microRNA-377 in anticancer drug-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. Read the full article at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2021.737826/full

The work is supported through grants from National Institutes of Health (NIH) and American Heart Association.

Details of the research article:

microRNA-377 Signaling Modulates Anticancer Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Mice
John Henderson, Praveen K. Dubey, Mallikarjun Patil, Sarojini Singh, Shubham Dubey, Rajasekaran Namakkal Soorappan, Ramaswamy Kannappan, Palaniappan Sethu, Gangjian Qin, Jianyi Zhang, Krishnamurthy P.
Front. Cardiovasc. Med., 16 August 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2021.737826

Research Intern successfully completes UAB-CORD Summer Science Program

Research Intern, Mr. Terry successfully completes 8-week UAB-CORD Summer Science Program
Lab members supporting Mr. Terry (High School Research Intern) during his poster presentation

Research Intern, Mr. Terry successfully completes 8-weeks UAB-Center for Community OutReach Development (CORD) Summer Science Program (Blazing to Biomedical Careers Program). At the end of the program, interns showcase their work through poster presentation. Terry’s research work is focused on Midkine, a heparin-binding growth and its role in fibroblast biology. We wish the best to Terry.

Drs. Sarojini Singh and Mallikarjun Patil co-mentored Terry. Thanks to their fantastic team effort!

Learn more about UAB-CORD program at: https://www.uab.edu/cord/

UG student volunteer wins Emergent Scholarship

Ms. Divya, research volunteer from UAB SciTech HONORS program
Ms. Divya, research volunteer in our lab

Ms. Divya, research volunteer in the lab wins Emergent Scholarship 2021. Divya is an undergrad from UAB SciTech HONORS program. She has worked on several research projects in the lab, including depression effects on heart disease, diabetes effect on cardiomyocyte etc and has co-authored a peer-reviewed manuscript (Front. Cell Dev. Biol., 03 December 2019| https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2019.00315).

Divya’s previous work as volunteer has resulted in multiple awards: click here to read the post

Discovery: Link between brain health and heart disease

Clinical studies have shown a strong association between depression and risk for heart disease. However, the mechanisms are yet to be understood. Our recent study has revealed cardiac glycosaminoglycans and structural alterations during chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior in mice. The study is published in peer-reviewed American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. Link for the full article: https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00635.2020

Our next step is to identify molecular signatures that mediate cardiac pathology during mental disorder. Research investigations are underway in our lab to study their role in causing heart disease and hopefully potential treatment strategies.

Graduate student, John Henderson wins PACEinSCIENCE award

John Henderson wins PACEinSCIENCE award
John Henderson presents his research work at PaceinSCIENCE Young Investigator Smposium

John Henderson (PhD student) in the lab wins an award (2nd place) for best presentation at PACEinSCIENCE Young Investigator Symposium 2019 organized by Global Talents in Science.

Title of his presentation: “The complex role of miRNA-377 in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity”. Looking forward to his graduation and beyond!

Research Intern in the lab presents poster at UAB-CORD Summer Science Program ceremony

Research Intern, Mr. David successfully completes 8-week UAB-CORD Summer Science Program
Research Intern, Mr. David’s poster after 8-week UAB-CORD Summer Science Program

Research Intern, Mr. David successfully completes 8-weeks UAB-Center for Community OutReach Development (CORD) Summer Science Program. David’s research work is titled “Effect of hyperglycemia on macrophage-derived exosomes and its impact on cardiac fibroblast”. Congratulations!

Dr. Mallikarjun Patil co-mentored David. Thanks to his effort!

Learn more about UAB-CORD program at: https://www.uab.edu/cord/

Discovery: Nano-vesicles in Heart Disease and Therapy

The complex role of cardiac and non-cardiac derived exosomes in cardiac pathophysiology

Just published from the lab. Enjoyed writing the review titled “The Art of Intercellular Wireless Communications: Exosomes in Heart Disease and Therapy”. Read full manuscript at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2019.00315/full

Source: Front. Cell Dev. Biol., 03 December 2019| https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2019.00315

Lab awarded postdoctoral research fellowship award from American Heart Association

Dr. Darukeshwara Joladarashi receives postdoctoral research fellowship award from American Heart Association
Dr. Darukeshwara Joladarashi receives postdoctoral research fellowship award from American Heart Association

Dr. Darukeshwara Joladarashi receives postdoctoral research fellowship award from American Heart Association. The fellowship will support his research work from July 2016- Jun 2018. His project is focused on studying the role of serine threonine kinase 35 in diabetic heart disease.