Mark T. Keating
Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Inc.
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Primary Section: 42, Medical Physiology and Metabolism Secondary Section: 41, Medical Genetics, Hematology, and Oncology Membership Type:
Member
(elected 2004)
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Research Interests
My laboratory has used genetic and physiologic techniques to define mechanisms underlying life-threatening cardiovascular disease, particularly cardiac arrhythmias and obstructive vascular disease. We discovered the first arrhythmia genes and demonstrated that these genes encode the ion channels that regulate cardiac excitability. We now know that arrhythmias result from inherited or acquired dysfunction of these channels. We also discovered that recurrent injury and inadequate regeneration of the elastin extracellular matrix cause obstructive vascular disease. Our work provides new insight into disease pathogenesis, tests for identifying individuals with genetic risk before the disease becomes apparent, safer pharmaceutical development by reducing risk of drug-induced arrhythmias, and the potential for new therapies. Our pathophysiologic studies show that inadequate regeneration and scarring are common mechanisms of disease. My laboratory's current research is focused on regeneration. We recently discovered that zebrafish regenerate functional heart muscle 60 days following injury. Using rodents, which have limited regenerative capabilities, and zebrafish, organisms with remarkable regenerative capacity, we are defining the cellular and molecular events responsible for regeneration.
