Over the past 25 years, the Departments of Physiology and Internal Medicine (Division of Cardiology) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCD) have maintained a highly productive research program in cardiovascular injury and repair. An established core group of outstanding investigators conduct more than $2.5 million annually of NIH-funded research;faculty collaborating with this team conduct an additional $2.2 million. This proposal requests funds to renovate 13,842 sq ft on the 3rd floor of Sanger Hall for the Cardiovascular Injury and Repair Research Facility. The proposed facility will serve as a magnet to recruit research faculty to the Department of Physiology, which has 4 openings;the Vice President for Research has committed up to $1.6 million toward the start-up packages to be offered. The core research team will develop innovative methods of effectively repairing damaged and diseased cardiac tissue at a cellular, genetic, and molecular level. They seek to learn how endogenous factors can protect and repair the heart and how damaged tissue can be successfully replaced with engineered substitutes. Specifically, they will: ?identify molecular and genetic mechanisms for triggering cardioprotective preconditioning; ?develop adult cardiac stem cell therapeutic approaches to treating cardiovascular injury; ?identify geometric and hemodynamic factors that determine oxygen exchange in striated muscle; ?develop a striated muscle prosthesis for the reconstruction of dysfunctional or missing cardiac tissue; ?identify molecular mechanisms for ion channel function in normal heart, ion channel remodeling by pathological conditions, and ion channel modulation by pharmacological agents in diseased heart.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Research Facilities Construction Grant (C06)
Project #
1C06RR020555-01A1
Application #
7000233
Study Section
Scientific and Technical Review Board on Biomedical and Behavioral Research Facilities (STRB)
Program Officer
Mccullough, Willie
Project Start
2009-09-01
Project End
2013-04-15
Budget Start
2009-09-01
Budget End
2013-04-15
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$4,990,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
105300446
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298