Research

We are translational researchers, working side by side with clinicians to get an even better understanding of the complex cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, gaining the insight needed to quickly turn discoveries into new therapies for people with or at risk for heart, lung or vascular disease. At the UC Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute, we drive toward these "Bench to Bedside" breakthroughs in treating cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.

Bench to Bedside three main methods of research:

• Basic science research
• Translational research
• Clinical research

The UC Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute strives to:

• Strengthen bridges between basic science and clinical research to accelerate discovery of safe, new treatments for heart, lung and vascular diseases and disorders.
• Support cutting-edge research that leads to novel technologies and therapeutics.
• Expand current research in promising new areas.
• Translate and commercialize new discoveries into products that can be used by clinicians to provide care to patients.
• Recruit prominent faculty to enhance research strengths.

Cutting edge of cardiovascular and pulmonary research

The UC Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute is a leader in the region, at the cutting-edge of cardiovascular and pulmonary research, and attracting large amounts of NIH funding.  We were the first in the nation to show that:

• Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium cycling and contractility is linked to cell death.
• A multimeric complex of several gene products mediates cross-talk between heart function and cell death or survival.
• There are human mutations in calcium cycling genes linked to heart failure or arrhythmias that can be used as prognostic or diagnostic markers in heart failure progression or arrhythmia development.
• Specific genes may serve as excellent new therapeutic targets for heart failure.
• Peripheral nociceptor stimulation can improve muscle survival after heart attack.
• Ultrasound can enhance thrombolysis for stroke treatment.
• A new calcium channel, TRPV2, is implicated in the regulation of myocardial function