Research Interests
Cardiovascular disease is a major health problem in United States putting immense burden on the health care system and leading to death of over a million people every year. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a possible solution to treat patients suffering from cardiac abnormalities. However, stem cell transplantation studies have highlighted limitations of the cell-mediated cardiac repair process as the donated stem cell population suffers from poor survival, proliferation, engraftment, and differentiation. The current focus of my research is to identify and characterize novel stem cells types and asses their cardiac reparative potential. In my lab, a combination of molecular and cellular approaches are being adopted to better understand the biological properties of stem cells and their response to different types of injury and to identify stem cell type(s) with enhanced myocardial repair potential. Presently, studies are ongoing to assess the regenerative capacity of a novel stem cell source, cortical bone derived stem cell (CBSCs) and compare its potential to clinically tested stem cell types i.e. cardiac derived stem cells (CDCs) and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Stem cells possess immense potential for treating heart diseases but their survival, proliferation and differentiation capacity once transplanted in the damaged heart needs to be augmented. Understanding the biological and physiological properties of stem cell types is needed to improve the functional outcome of cell-based therapy for treating heart failure.
Simultaneously, we are exploring the possibility of using exosomes derived from parent stem cells to develop a cell free regimen for improving cardiac output after injury. Exosomes are small vesicles secreted by cells, which carry proteins, miRNAs, cell surface receptors and mRNAs representing the parent cell of origin. Our goal is to harness the benefit of CBSCs therapy for cardiac repair without using the cell themselves. Therefore, the current focus is to characterize these small vesicles and study their potential ability to augment cardiac repair process in response to injury.
The lab routinely uses various molecular biology techniques along with stem cell isolation, in vivo experiments and histological techniques. We are always looking for undergraduate, graduate students who would like to work in an exciting and supportive research environment.
EDUCATION, TRAINING & CREDENTIALS
- PhD, Molecular Biology, National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, 2008
- MS, Zoology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan, 2002
- BS, Biological Sciences, Kinnaird College, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, 2000
Memberships
- National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Sana Awan
- American Heart Association
- International Society for Heart Research