Good Laboratory

The Good Lab takes an interdisciplinary approach encompassing fundamental molecular and cellular biology, in vivo state-of-the-art imaging technologies, ex vivo vascular function techniques, and in vivo pathophysiological models to further our understanding of how blood flow regulation and inflammation contribute to the etiology of neurological diseases and to dissect the role of arterial and venous endothelial Panx1 in ischemic stroke and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Current projects include:
The Good Laboratory is focused on understanding the mechanisms that regulate blood vessel function and inflammation and their contribution to the development of neurological diseases. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and ischemic stroke are both in the top 10 leading causes of mortality in the US, however, therapeutics are severely lacking to improve outcomes in these patients. CBF dysregulation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and neuroinflammation are key features observed chronically in Alzheimer’s Disease patients and acutely in ischemic stroke patients. A gap in our knowledge, and an area with high potential for pharmacological intervention, is understanding vascular-mediated mechanisms that influence ischemic stroke outcome, such as recovery of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and inflammatory responses, and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Our publications

Galper Laboratory

Using whole animal physiology, in vivo electrical stimulation of the heart and echocardiography, we study the predisposition of the heart to develop lethal arrhythmias and its association with diastolic dysfunction (heart failure with preserved ejection function, HFpEF). On the cellular level, we use isolated cardiomyocytes from these animal models, for cellular electrophysiology studies and direct measurements of calcium transients to measure abnormalities of repolarization, dysfunction and distribution of ion channels, and calcium dyshomeostasis in the predisposition to the development of ventricular arrhythmias. Using molecular biological tools, we study the role of second messenger signaling in the regulation of ion channel activity in the predisposition to ventricular arrhythmias, and development of diastolic dysfunction. We also have an interest in the role of Toll-Like receptors in the pathogenesis and treatment of mouse models for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Current projects include:
The Galper Lab has a long-standing interest in autonomic control of the heart and more recently in the pathogenesis of lethal ventricular arrhythmias following myocardial infarction in mouse models for type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We also have an interest in the mechanism of atrial fibrillation in these mouse models for metabolic heart disease.
Our publications

Dupont Laboratory

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death around the world and its incidence increases greatly with age in both males and females. However, the rate of CVD development increases significantly more in postmenopausal females. Our efforts are focused on identifying alternative strategies outside of hormone replacement therapy to mitigate CVD risk in aging women, and potentially men, as our approaches allow for the direct comparison of males and females and potential therapeutic targets that we identify may also aid in male CVD.

For these studies, we routinely utilize our state-of-the-art transgenic mouse models, in vitro molecular and cellular biology techniques, ex-vivo resistance vessel reactivity via wire myography, in vivo telemetric blood pressure measurements and in vivo cardiac and vascular imaging. Additionally, our laboratory also performs clinical studies examining vascular function in several populations. For these studies, we measure 1) microvascular function in the cutaneous circulation via laser Doppler flowmetry coupled with intradermal microdialysis and 2) arterial stiffness via applanation tonometry. Thus, we are a truly translational laboratory with studies spanning from the bench to the mouse to the human.

Current projects include:
The effects of sex hormones and their receptors on vascular function in health and disease states.
Our publications

Chin Laboratory

The Chin lab is interested in the molecular mechanisms that mediate the development of cardiomyopathies, with a particular focus on the genetic events that occur within the myocardium that result in myocardial dysfunction. Major areas of interest include the pathogenesis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), an inherited disorder that affects approximately 1 in 500, through transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic assessment, and the development of an enzyme replacement therapy for Barth Syndrome (BTHS), an inherited cardiomyopathy resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction.
Our publications

Chen Laboratory

The Chen lab develops novel imaging methods to understand mechanisms of cardiovascular disease, to image disease as it progresses and to improve cardiovascular outcomes by targeting or monitoring therapies using molecular imaging. He is applying these novel technologies to heart failure and cardio-oncology.
Our publications

Blanton Laboratory

Heart failure remains the leading cause of hospital admission in the United States. The Blanton laboratory investigates the basic molecular signaling mechanisms regulating the process of cardiac remodeling: the myocardial structural and functional abnormalities that ultimately cause the heart failure syndrome. Our overarching goal is to discover novel anti-remodeling signaling molecules in the heart which will enable us to design more effective and better-tolerated therapies for heart failure patients.
Our publications
Articles
Anal Cancer: Know Your Risk
March 14, 2024
Tufts Medical Center’s José Caro, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases breaks down the stigma associated with anal cancer. Learn who’s at risk and how to prevent this rarely discussed disease.

MCRI Training + Education

The many training opportunities in the MCRI include:

  • The Institute sponsors a Molecular Medicine Seminar Series throughout the academic year with guest speakers participating.
  • All MCRI investigators, trainees and technical staff participate in an annual retreat in Woods Hole, with presentations by nationally and internationally recognized distinguished guest lecturers, and opportunities for all MCRI members to review their latest research as well as discuss new opportunities for collaboration.
MCRI Training and Education group
MCRI Training and Education discussion at desk
Training the next generation of cardiovascular researchers is critical to the Molecular Cardiology Research Institute (MCRI) mission and a high priority in the Institute

MCRI Multidisciplinary Research Groups

The MCRI sponsors Multidisciplinary Research Groups that foster collaboration among clinical, translational and basic scientists including MCRI faculty and investigators across Tufts Medicine and Tufts University. These groups include the Cardio-Oncology Research Group, the Cardio-Renal Research Group, the Vasculo-Neuro Research Group, the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Research Group, and the Wound Healing Research Group.

MCRI Core Labs

Core labs
The MCRI core labs include the MCRI Bio Bank Core Lab, the MCRI Cell Culture Core Lab, the MCRI Interventional Research Core Lab, the MCRI Small Animal Physiology Core Lab and the MCRI Vascular Function Core Lab. These labs provide equipment, infrastructure, and expertise to support MCRI faculty and trainees in their research.