Khadija Rafiq, PhD

Our research focuses on the identification and characterization of key proteins and pathways that regulate cardiac inflammation induced during pathological conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, sepsis, and cardiac injury. The lab focuses on targeting 1) B cell inflammatory gene, allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), and 2) Mitochondrial 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) synthase (HMGCS2), as a new therapy to limit inflammation, myocyte loss, and enhance cardiac function in heart failure related diabetes. These questions are addressed by employing in vitro models of gain- and loss-of-function of molecules of interest. In vitro findings are further supported by in vivo transgenic mice models that either selectively overexpress or delete the candidate molecules in the mouse heart.  The lab employs dynamic state-of-art technologies to dissect disease mechanism and identify potential therapeutic targets. Frequently used research approaches include proteomics, chemical, biochemical, immunological, and pathophysiological approaches. Our long-term goals are to provide novel insights about the molecular pathways that govern cardiac myocyte growth and function and to use this information to devise pharmacologic and genetic therapies for heart diseases in humans.

PhD, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, 2000

• Dr. Rafiq's Research Lab Site
• Center for Translational Medicine