Research
Featured Research Areas
Cardiomyopathy/Heart Failure
Heart Failure (HF) is defined as a clinical syndrome in which the heart is unable to maintain cardiac output commensurate with the body's demand and is also one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The syndrome is classical described through changes in the left ventricular ejection fraction with various etiologies. Took account for heterogeneity of HF, we have preclinical models which recapitulate the major phenotypes of both HF with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We induce ischemic heart disease, various cardiomyopathies, or metabolically-driven perturbations leading to HF manifestation. We explore the mechanism(s) underlying the development and progression in hopes of identifying novel targets and therapeutic strategies to combat HF.
Gut Microbiome-Host Interaction
The gut microbiome and host interaction plays a critical role in overall health and well being. Modifiable risk factors, such as diet, smoking and exercise can alter this interaction and lead to changes in gut metabolites and the endocrinological profile. The shift in metabolites which have hormone-like properties lead to alterations in cellular signaling and physiological homeostasis. We investigate the underlying mechanism(s) in this relationship which lead to increase risk and severity of cardiovascular disease and explore novel therapeutic strategies.
CNS Contribution Towards CMD
There is a paucity of data understanding how sensory inputs lead in the central nervous system lead to central and systemic changes in CNS outputs in a coordinated multi-organ response. This is never more true than for the CNS and cardiovascular systems. While classical physiological responses are well understood (i.e. baroreceptor reflex), there is limited comprehension as to how dietary composition (fats, sugars, etc...), alters sensory inputs and reinforces, through dopaminergic excess leading to co-morbidities (i.e. obesity, diabetes, hypertension) and subsequent adverse CV outcomes. We are interested in understanding how dietary driven alterations in sensory activation in the CNS leads to CV pathophysiology and cardio-metabolic disease (CMD). Also, understanding the mechanism(s) by which novel therapeutics alter these interactions.
Getting to the Heart of the Problem!
Forefront of Research
The Sharp Laboratory is a classical cardiovascular physiology lab, which develops preclinical models based on clinical phenotypes of (cardio)vascular (CVD) and cardio-metabolic (CMD) disease. By recapitulating clinical phenotypes, we are able to investigate the mechanistic underpinnings of CVD/CMD in an attempt to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop novel approaches to combat CVD/CMD risk, manifestation and progression.
Team
Our Team on The Forefront of Cardiovascular Research
We are currently a small yet tenacious group of individuals who are highly motivated to expand our knowledge regarding cardiovascular-related pathological conditions which plague our modern day society while seeking to develop novel therapeutic strategies to combat cardiovascular and cardio-metabolic disease. The lab resides in a state-of-the-art facility built in downtown Tampa, Fl. We enthusiastically seek out studies which allow for interdisciplinary collaboration amongst our peers bringing together a variety of expertise to produce top-tier scientific observations in a wide variety of research areas and topics.
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