Jeffrey Saucerman, Ph.D., Professor, University of Virginia, Genes, drugs, and networks for engineering cardiac growth

Speaker:

Jeffrey Saucerman, Ph.D.

Professor of Biomedical Engineering                                                        

University of Virginia

Faculty Host: Beth Pruitt

Title: Genes, drugs, and networks for engineering cardiac growth

Abstract:

While cardiac growth through hypertrophy is adaptive with exercise, after gene mutation or heart attack hypertrophy is maladaptive and a leading predictor of heart failure. In this talk, I will present our research developing computational models of the genes, drugs, and molecular networks that control cardiac hypertrophy. Using patient-specific human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, we experimentally validated a predicted synergy between MEK and PI3K inhibitors. Our LogiRx method systematically expanded these networks with drug-target databases, which revealed several FDA approved drugs that mitigate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Model predictions were experimentally validated in cultured cardiomyocytes and in some cases retrospective analysis of electronic health records.

Bio:

Dr. Jeff Saucerman is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Virginia. He leads a research group in cardiac systems biology, focused on identifying and controlling the molecular networks involved in heart disease. He received a B.S. in Engineering Science from Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of California San Diego, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Donald Bers at Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Saucerman has received a number of awards including an NSF CAREER Award, Fellow of the American Heart Association and American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award, BME Mentoring Award, and the Vivian Pinn Scholar Award.