FLAGG LAB
MOLECULAR CARDIOLOGY
We are broadly interested in studying the ways that diet, metabolism, pharmaceuticals, and genetics can conspire to affect heart physiology and function. Current projects fall into four areas:
- Structure & function of ATP-sensitive potassium channels. We are studying the biological mechanisms that control the expression and activity of these potassium channels that lie at the intersection of cell metabolism and function.
- Effects of biochemical intermediates on cardiac function. We recently showed that cholesterol and acetate act as signaling agents to regulate cardiac function. We are currently studying the effects of berry extracts on cardiomyocyte physiology.
- Cardiac function in spinal muscular atrophy. In collaboration with Dr. Barrington Burnett, we are studying the molecular basis of impaired cardiac function in mouse models of spinal muscular atrophy.
- Pharmacological and genetic basis of sudden cardiac arrest. In collaboration with Dr. Mark Haigney, we study the physiological effects of drugs or novel genomic variants in patients who survived a sudden cardiac arrest on cardiac excitability and function in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes.