Jonas Galper, M.D., Ph.D.

My laboratory is dedicated to the development of animal and cell culture models designed to define new molecular mechanisms involving lipid metabolism and sterol related transcription factors in heart and vascular diseases. We are currently studying the role of cholesterol metabolism and insulin in the regulation of expression of genes involved in the control of the parasympathetic response of the heart using a mouse model for diabetic autonomic neuropathy and the development of cardiac arrhythmias. We are also studying the role of lipid metabolism, angiotensin II signaling and small GTP binding proteins in angiogenesis using both endothelial cell culture models and a mouse model for the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Our studies suggest an important new role of sterol regulation in cardiovascular disease.