Available: 11/30/20, Expires: 12/31/21
[Background] Many lines of evidence, including our own, established that macrophages contribute importantly to cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis. Despite the availability of potent therapeutics against modifiable risk factors (e.g., statins for hypercholesterolemia), many patients still suffer with major complications of atherosclerosis including myocardial infarction. Our laboratory has thus explored new mechanisms for pro-inflammatory activation of macrophages as therapeutic targets. Interestingly, we have learned in recent years that macrophages are a heterogeneous group of cells. They may have several subpopulations, such as pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory clusters. It is important to understand how what factors regulate macrophage heterogeneity as a guide to the development of new drugs.
[Goals] How many subpopulations do macrophage have? We aim to identify subpopulations of human primary macrophages derived from the circulating blood using several single cell analysis platform, including single cell RNA-sequencing and mass cytometry (CyTOF). To analyze large complex data from such screening, we use our own bioinformatics programs, machine learning, and network analysis, followed by comprehensive validation using cell and molecular biology experiments. The ultimate goal of this comprehensive, multidisciplinary project is to discover mechanisms that regulate macrophage heterogeneity as novel therapeutic targets for precision medicine against cardiovascular diseases. Anticipated discoveries from this project should also help to develop new therapies for various other inflammatory diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic disorders, fatty liver, and irritable bowel syndrome.
[Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences (CICS)] This project is conducted at CICS of Divisions of Cardiovascular Medicine and Network Medicine of Brigham and Women's Hospital under the supervision of Masanori Aikawa, MD, PhD, Founding Director. CICS uses various innovative technologies, including proteomics, transcriptomics, single cell analysis, our own bioinformatics programs, and machine learning. We are a diverse group of investigators, including vascular biologist, immunologist, biochemist, and data scientists who specialize in machine learning, bioinformatics, or systems biology. https://cics.bwh.harvard.edu/
[Requirements] Any students with extraordinary passion and curiosity for innovative medical sciences are suited for the project. But, considering the nature of this multidisciplinary project, excellent communication skills are required. Prior experience in laboratory research is also advantageous.
Available: 01/04/21, Expires: 12/31/21
[Background] Despite the availability of potent therapeutics (e.g., cholesterol-lowering statins), many patients still suffer with cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction. One of major challenges in medical practice and drug development is the heterogeneity of human diseases, which makes it hard to prevent clinical events in many patients with one drug. It is thus important to understand how heterogeneous each cardiovascular disease is and what factors regulate such heterogeneity.
[Goals] How many subpopulations does each cardiovascular disease have? We aim to identify subpopulations of patients with cardiovascular diseases using the big patient data from electronic health records, clinical samples, machine learning, systems biology, multi-omics, and cell and molecular biology. Our current focus include coronary artery disease, heart failure, and complications of COVID-19. The ultimate goal of this comprehensive, multidisciplinary project is to discover mechanisms that regulate disease heterogeneity as novel therapeutic targets for precision medicine (e.g., how can you prevent disease progression in patients in a subpopulation with the highest risk with a new drug?).
[Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences (CICS)] This project is conducted at CICS of Divisions of Cardiovascular Medicine and Network Medicine of Brigham and Women's Hospital under the supervision of Masanori Aikawa, MD, PhD, Founding Director. CICS uses various innovative technologies, including proteomics, transcriptomics, single cell analysis, our own bioinformatics programs, and machine learning. We are a diverse group of investigators, including vascular biologist, immunologist, biochemist, and data scientists who specialize in machine learning, bioinformatics, or systems biology. https://cics.bwh.harvard.edu/
[Requirements] Any students with extraordinary passion and curiosity for innovative medical sciences are suited for the project. But, considering the nature of this multidisciplinary project, excellent communication skills are required. Prior experience in computational analysis is also advantageous, but not essential.