# Epigenetic control of pathologic cardiac remodeling

> **NIH NIH K08** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $160,812

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 This proposal details a 5-year training program for career development and advancement in academic
cardiovascular medicine for Dr. Michael A. Burke, M.D., the principle investigator. Dr. Burke is a physician-
scientist at Emory University (EU) School of Medicine. He completed clinical and research training in Internal
Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases at Northwestern University through the ABIM research pathway. He
then completed subspecialty fellowship training in Advanced Heart Failure (HF) and Transplant Cardiology at
Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH). Finally, he completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in the lab of
Drs. Christine E. (study co-mentor) and Jonathan G. Seidman in 2015. Dr. Burke has recently established his
own laboratory at EU where he is embarking on a research and career development program under the
combined mentorship of Drs. Ahsan Husain (EU) and Christine Seidman (BWH). Dr. Husain is a professor of
medicine and expert in cardiomyocyte biology and Dr. Seidman is a physician-scientist and cardiovascular
geneticist; both have an extensive track record of training future leaders in academic cardiology.
 Dr. Burke's research interest focuses on characterizing the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene
expression with progression of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) to HF. His long-term career goals are to
translate this research into clinical advances for patients with HF. He has published important research
demonstrating temporal changes in cardiac transcription using a genetic model of DCM that suggests a key
role for early activation of pro-fibrotic signaling. He has recently generated new evidence suggesting that
epigenetic reader proteins are a key nodal point for pathologic gene transcription in the progression of DCM.
The objectives of this research proposal are (1) to characterize the roles of specific TGFβ isoforms and the
bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of epigenetic reader proteins in DCM, (2) to establish a possible
mechanistic link between TGFβ signaling and BETs, and (3) to define the mechanism of BET recruitment to
target genes. Understanding these mechanisms will provide important fundamental insight into the biology of
HF and could unlock potential therapeutic targets for this common and morbid disease.
 This research will teach Dr. Burke the use of advanced molecular techniques including viral vector
delivery in animals, chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing (ChIP-seq) and single-cell RNA-seq. Dr.
Burke's career development plan also includes educational resources to further his scientific knowledge. Drs.
Husain, Seidman and Burke have formulated a clear timeline for career development, including publication of
research, presentations at national meetings and development of a plan for his subsequent transition to
independent investigator. The support provided by EU and this comprehensive career development program
will optimally position Dr. Burke to compet...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10136686
- **Project number:** 5K08HL136873-05
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael A Burke
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $160,812
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10136686

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10136686, Epigenetic control of pathologic cardiac remodeling (5K08HL136873-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10136686. Licensed CC0.

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