IISER MOHALI

Abstract: Dilated cardiomyopathy (a form of heart failure) leading to enlargement of the heart affects one in every 200 persons. Various sarcomeric gene mutations have been shown to cause this condition. The molecular causes of such cardiomyopathy are poorly understood. We performed patients-specific next-generation sequencing to discover novel genes in Indians and Caucasians. We used 2D/3D cellular models, including stem cells, organoids, and Mus/Drosophila genetics, to unravel their functions related to such cardiomyopathy. Our results revealed exciting roles for several non-sarcomeric genes in cardiac hypertrophy. My talk will focus on a recently identified gene from my group and its functional implications in causing cardiomyopathy and other related syndromes.