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CONTACT: Aaron Hoskins FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SDSU Heart Institute to
Study Cardiac Stem Cells' SAN DIEGO, Monday, September 15, 2003 — The SDSU Heart Institute has received a $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how stem cells can be used to repair damaged heart tissue after a heart attack and during aging. Mark Sussman, professor of Biology and a key new
member of the SDSU Heart Institute and SDSU BioSciences Center,
will lead the SDSU research team. "Heart failure remains a leading cause of
hospital admissions and mortality in the elderly, and current medical
approaches fail to treat the underlying cause of the problem, which
appears to be diminished stem cell growth," Sussman said. "This
study will provide critical information about the role stem cells
play in the human heart. Our long-term goal is to provide a method
to stimulate cardiac stem cell growth, enhancing a heart's ability
to stay strong and resist the effects of aging." Sussman said the SDSU researchers will combine
in vitro and in vivo (laboratory and in-the-body) experiments, using
molecular, biochemical, microscopic and transgenic approaches to
assess mechanisms that enhance stem cell survival and retard weakening
of the heart attributed to aging. "Dr. Sussman's research has the potential
to improve the body's defenses for so many people who are at risk
for heart disease, especially as they grow older," said Chris
Glembotski, director of the SDSU Heart Institute. The project represents another major grant for
Sussman since his arrival at SDSU in June. He already has received
two additional federal grants related to the structural and molecular
basis of heart failure as well as an Established Investigator award
from the American Heart Association. Prior to his arrival at SDSU,
he was an associate professor in the Division of Molecular Cardiovascular
Biology at Children's Hospital and Research Foundation in Cincinnati. The SDSU Heart Institute is partnered in the stem-cell
research with New York Medical College. Piero Anversa, director
of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at New York Medical College,
will direct the clinical trials as the project progresses. Anversa
is scheduled to visit SDSU in October. The SDSU Heart Institute is sponsored by SDSU's
College of Sciences and College of Health and Human Services and
includes approximately 30 faculty members from a number of health-related
disciplines. Its mission is to promote research and teaching programs
relating to heart and cardiovascular system performance in health
and disease, and to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease
and its prevention in the greater San Diego area. The Heart Institute is a key component of SDSU's
BioScience Center, a new, interdisciplinary center that also will
be used by the SDSU Center for Microbial Sciences, the California
State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology
(CSUPERB), the SDSU Center for Bio/Pharmaceutical and Biodevice
Development (CBBD) and other campus institutes to pursue cutting-edge
research designed to help fight health threats ranging from heart
disease to emerging infectious diseases to bioterrorism. San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 79 areas, master’s degrees in 67 areas and doctorates in 14 areas. SDSU’s more than 34,000 students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu. ### |
