Related Disease
Cardiomyopathies, Cardiovascular Diseases
Anatomical Systems and Sites
Cardiovascular System, General Cell Biology, Heart
Research Models
Computational Modeling, Drosophila, Human
Techniques and Technologies
Bioinformatics, Cell Biology, Confocal Microscopy, Fluorescence Microscopy, Genetics, In vivo Modeling, Live Cell Imaging, Live Imaging, Microscopy and Imaging, Molecular Biology, RNA Interference (RNAi), Systems Biology, Transgenic Organisms
Sanjeev S. Ranade studies how transcription factors specifically control the development and function of cardiac cells — and what happens when things go wrong.
Transcription factors (TF) are proteins that initiate and regulate the transcription of genes, essentially turning genes on and off, boosting or repressing their activity. At last count, there were over 1,500 known TFs, but the contribution of most of the TFs to life and health is unknown.
In particular, Ranade focuses on how disrupted cell-to-cell signaling caused by mutations in TFs can cause congenital heart defects or CHDs.
“My research is focused on understanding why young children are born with heart defects. What are the principles and rules that allow our hearts to develop in the first place and why do these rules get broken in some cases? This is really important because nearly 1 in 100 children are born with some form of heart defect and many of these children will suffer from heart disease at much earlier stages in life compared to the general population.”
For his doctorate in molecular biology at Scripps Research in San Diego, Ranade studied ion channels — proteins that span cell membranes, allowing passage of ions or charged molecules from one side of the membrane to the other. The channels serve many critical functions, including transmitting signals involved in cell-cell communications and muscle contraction.
Working as a post-doctoral fellow and staff research scientist in the lab of Deepak Srivastava, M.D. at Gladstone Institutes, Ranade looked at how genetics and cell biology were connected and how disruptions to these connections led to children with heart defects.
New and rapidly developing technologies, such as cryo-electron (cryo-EM) and artificial intelligence, are providing the tools to revolutionize biomedical research,…
Aug 2, 2023
After a successful teaching career at the University of Michigan I have had the privilege to “reboot” my research career at Sanford Burnham Prebys where I have had the opportunity to develop novel methodologies to understand cardiomyopathy. I have also had the opportunity to work with NASA scientists to do experiments on the International Space Station.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, Neurochemistry Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, Neuroscience NIMH PhD, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, Neuroscience NIMH B.A., Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, Biology
Prestigious Runding Awards or Major Collaborative Grants
2015-2020: NIH R01 HL132241-01A1 – Using Drosophila genetics to identify molecular links between ion channel dysfunction and pathological cardiac remodeling. (PI) 2013-2018 NASA NRA #NNH12ZTT001N – The effects of microgravity on cardiac function, structure and gene expression using the Drosophila model. (Co-I)
Honor and Awards
2014: Space Florida International Space Station Research Competition Winner – Co-investigator – One of three Basic Research proposals selected for launch aboard SpaceX3 – Mission completed, live flies returned on May 18,2014 2001: Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Michigan 1997: Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Michigan 1986-1988: National Institute of Mental Health Fellowship 1983-1985: National Institute of Mental Health Fellowship 1981: Sigma Xi Research Award 1980 MBL Scholarship, Neural Systems and Behavior Course 1971-1975: National Merit Scholarship, Lehigh University
Board Appointments
2018-present: Board member American Society for Gravitational and Space Research
Anatomical Systems and Sites
Cardiovascular System, Heart
Research Models
Drosophila, Larval Zebrafish Heart, Zebrafish
Techniques and Technologies
Biophysiology, Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Fluorescence Microscopy, Gene Silencing, Genetics, In vivo Modeling, Ion Channels, Live Imaging, Microarrays, Microscopy and Imaging, Molecular Genetics, RNA Interference (RNAi), Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis (SOHA), Systems Biology, Transgenic Organisms
The Ocorr Lab is investigating the cellular and molecular basis of adult heart function and cardiomyopathies using the genetic model system Drosophila.
We use functional, electrophysiological, biochemical and immunohistochemical techniques that allow us to examine the roles of genes and gene products in cardiac channelopathies and stress-related cardiomyopathies.
Our lab pioneered the development of a novel methodology (Semi-automatic Optical Heartbeat Analysis, SOHA) that permits the quantification of heartbeat parameters in model systems with small hearts.
Using this system we have identified several ion channels in the fly heart that play prominent roles in repolarization of the human heart and cause arrhythmia in both the fly and in humans when mutated. We also have developed a number of other disease models including a diabetic-like cardiomyopathy induced by high sugar diet and hypoxia-induced cardiomyopathy.
Recently we have begun collaborations with NASA (by winning a Space Florida International Space Station Research Competition). We are using the fly to uncover the molecular/cellular basis for cardiac and muscle atrophy in astronauts exposed to extended periods of microgravity despite extensive exercise regimes aboard the ISS. Our flies were launched aboard SpaceX 3 for a month-long exposure to micro-gravity.
Karen Ocorr’s Research Report
My lab is working to understand the cellular and molecular basis of heart disease. One project is focused on the genetic basis of Atrial Fibrillation. This project is a collaborative one with the lab of Alexandre Colas. We are combining two model systems, the fly in my lab and human induced cardiomyocytes in his lab, to identify AFib genes that have been implicated from patient studies. Another project focuses on the role of metabolism in cardiomyopathies. This is because obesity and metabolic syndrome are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. We are studying the role of a key metabolic signaling molecule in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A separate effort is focused on the role of gravity in heart function. These studies will provide important information for future habitants of colonies on the moon and Mars. But they are also relevant to patients who are bedridden and to patients with muscle wasting (sarcopenia).
