Research

The Department of Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) at NEOMED is an interdisciplinary department comprised of investigators with a range of interests and disciplines, but with common intersections among their respective areas of research.

Faculty within IMS focus their research in three related areas:

1. Cardiac and vascular phenomics with a focus on matrix biology, neurohumoral signaling in the context of preconditioning or apoptotic programs, ion channel signaling in normal states and during the development of vascular disease and vascular biology (including regulation of vascular tone) and vascular growth (collateralogenesis and angiogenesis). Related to this area are research programs in lung development and understanding central mechanisms underlying behavior.
2. Hepatic pathobiology with an emphasis on hepatic nuclear receptor signaling and liver production of lipids. The hepatic and vascular areas are related from the perspective that an important cause of many vascular diseases stems from hepatic pathologies and altered production of LDL and HDL by the liver.
3. Inflammation, immunology and virology. Some of the investigators with a viral focus study viral-induced tissue degeneration and tumor formation. This third area relates to both the hepatic and cardiovascular focuses in the context of hepatitis and hepatic inflammation and that inflammation is an underpinning to many beneficial cardiovascular adaptations but also can be detrimental if excessive or too prolonged.

Heart & Blood Vessel Disease Research Focus Area

The Heart & Blood Vessel Disease Research Focus Area is comprised of investigators studying basic and translational aspects of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Interests range from the impacts of the development of vascular disease, to transgenic and knockout models, echocardiographic analyses of cardiac function and remodeling, and gene knockdown strategies. This research promotes our understanding of fundamental disease processes and the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism Research Focus Area

Researchers within the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Research Focus Area study bile acid, glucose, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Diseases related to diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, and atherosclerosis are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems. Metabolic dysregulation also causes other chronic diseases and conditions.