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 Sekar Kathiresan, MD |
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Lab Overview
My laboratory seeks to define the genetic basis for complex cardiovascular traits with a particular focus on blood lipids (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides) and myocardial infarction (MI). Altered blood lipids predict risk of myocardial infarction and myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death worldwide. Both blood lipid levels and myocardial infarction are heritable phenotypes. The genes underlying the variability in blood lipids and risk of myocardial infarction are largely unknown. Genes validated in the human population to relate to blood lipids and to risk of myocardial infarction may provide novel diagnostics and new therapeutic targets. We are using population genetics, large patient sample collections, and genetic association methodology to test the hypothesis that DNA sequence variants are associated with blood lipids levels and risk of myocardial infarction. Ultimately, we aim to extend this work to patients by testing the hypothesis that a genetic test involving a validated lipid or myocardial infarction risk variant will be useful in preventive cardiac care.
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