Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, there has been a rapid expansion in genetic technologies aimed at understanding complex human diseases, including high-density SNP genotyping for case-control and population based association testing and sequencing. The application of these genetic methods through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have led to over 200 novel genetic associations with common, complex diseases. Currently, a major stop-gap in this area of research is understanding the functional impact of these associations. Through this P30 Award, we will initiate and maintain a program of research focused on the molecular consequences of genetic variants associated with vascular diseases. This program will be a part of the multidisciplinary research portfolio of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Michigan, as we expand our growing programs in vascular medicine and biology into the realm of genetics. We seek to recruit a newly independent investigator who has the skills and expertise to investigate the mechanism by which these genetic variants cause or contribute to human vascular diseases.
Recruitment of Dr Santhi Ganesh to the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at University of Michigan falls well within the NHLBI's mission to promote the development of cardiovascular scienfists who will lead future research in areas of relevance to the NHLBI, and to advance biomedical research in heart, lung and blood diseases, chiefly vascular diseases. The program proposed is mulfi-disciplinary, encompassing vascular biology and human genefics. This recruitment is supported by strong involvement of highly qualified investigators that will collaborate with Dr Ganesh and foster her career within the Faculty of this University, and by solid institutional support. Dr. Ganesh is involved in an area of science of great significance for public health and one that will lead to important future discoveries for the improvement of cardiovascular health in the overall population.
| Ganesh, Santhi K; Morissette, Rachel; Xu, Zhi et al. (2014) Clinical and biochemical profiles suggest fibromuscular dysplasia is a systemic disease with altered TGF-? expression and connective tissue features. FASEB J 28:3313-24 |
| Keller, Margaux F; Reiner, Alexander P; Okada, Yukinori et al. (2014) Trans-ethnic meta-analysis of white blood cell phenotypes. Hum Mol Genet 23:6944-60 |
