We are studying to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that are involved in cardiac apoptosis, and the contribution of cardiac apoptosis to the progression to heart failure. Particularly, we are characterize the role of caspase-independent apoptosis in heart using both in vitro and in vivo models, and examining several strategies to inhibit apoptosis in heart. Furthermore, we are studying the mechanism and the therapeutic potential of activated vitamin D in treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in renal patients.
Kang PM, Haunstetter A, Aoki H, Usheva A, Izumo S. Morphological and molecular characterization of reoxygenation-induced adult cardiac myocyte apoptosis. Circ Res 2000;87:118-125.
Kong SW, Bodyak N, Yue P, Liu Z, Brown J, Izumo S, Kang PM. Genetic expression profiles during physiologic and pathologic hypertrophy and heart failure in rats. Physiol Genomics 2005; 21:34-42.
Han Y, Chen YS, Liu Z, Bodyak N, Rigor DL, Bisping E, Pu WT, Kang PM. Overexpression of HAX-1 protects cardiac myocytes from apoptosis through caspase-9 inhibition. Circ Res 2006; 99:415-423.
Siu PM, Bae S, Bodyak N, Rigor D, Kang PM. Response of caspase-independent apoptotic factors to high salt diet-induced heart failure. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2007; 42:678-686.
Bodyak N, Ayus JC, Achinger S, Shivalingappa V, Ke Q, Chen YS, Rigor DL, Stillman I, Tamez H, Kroeger PE, Wu-Wong RR, Karumanchi A, Thadhani R, Kang PM. Activated vitamin D attenuates left ventricular abnormalities induced by dietary sodium in Dahl salt-sensitive animals. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2007; 104:16810-5.
External Recognition:
Honors and Awards:
1988-1991 Hispanic, Asian and Native American (HANA) Scholarship for academic achievements
1994 Finalist. 75th American College of Physician Annual Session: Associate Competition
1994-1995 New York Academy of Medicine: Glorney-Raisbeck Fellowship in Cardiovascular Research
1995 American Federation of Clinical Research Trainee Investigator Award
1997-2000 Individual National Research Service Award, NHLBI
2000-2003 Scientist Development Award, AHA National
2001 Junior Faculty finalist, New England Cardiovascular Research Competition
2001-2006 Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, NHLBI
2004 Best Poster Award (1st place), International Congress of Cardiovascular Diseases
Committee Assignments:
2003-present Study Group Member, AHA Northeast One Peer Review Study Group; Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology
2003-present Committee member, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
2003-present Study section member, NIH Special Emphasis Panel, NeuroAIDS and other End-organ Disease Study Section
Fellowship member: American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology
Ad hoc reviewer: Circulation Research, Journal of Cardiac Failure, American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs,
Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
Major Collaborative Activities:
As a director of Cardiac Physiology Core, we have several collaborative projects with the investigators from BIMDC, BWH, MGH and Joslin.
