# Galectin-3-Mediated Post-Ischemic Myocardial Dysfunction and its Inhibition by a Novel Peptide   N-Acetyl-Seryl-Aspartyl-Lysyl-Proline

> **NIH NIH K08** · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · 2020 · $197,370

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 This proposal describes a five-year career development and training plan for Dr. Umesh Sharma under
the mentorship of Professor John M. Canty, Jr. Dr. Sharma is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine at
University at Buffalo. His career development plan, that leverages the extensive resources offered by the
University and Clinical and Translational Research Center at Buffalo, brings together a strong team of
investigators with expertise in small animal physiology, myocardial remodeling, therapeutics and dynamic
magnetic resonance imaging. During the period of funding, Dr. Sharma will have a faculty position in the Division
of Cardiovascular Medicine at University at Buffalo. His goal is to become a successful and independent
investigator studying mechanisms of ischemia-induced myocardial injury and dysfunction, and identify novel
therapeutic targets.
 Receipt of this award will allow Dr. Sharma obtain additional training in small-animal research,
comprehensive cardiac tissue and molecular imaging, biostatistics, research design and ethics, and will facilitate
his transition to research independence. Dr. Sharma hypothesizes that in presence of ischemic myocardial
injury, excess galectin-3 promotes myocardial inflammation and fibrosis. Blocking galectin-3 activity via
genetic mutation or therapeutic antagonism inhibits inflammation, reduces fibrosis and preserves
cardiac function. Dr. Sharma has a strong research track-record and has obtained excellent preliminary results
that show the feasibility of this approach in a murine model of myocardial ischemia. In summary, by bringing
together cutting edge technology and a well-rounded team of experts in the setting of excellent research plan
and mentorship structure, Dr. Sharma will be able to synergistically merge the fields of advanced imaging,
myocardial remodeling and therapeutic targeting using novel liposome-based peptide delivery system. Through
this mechanism, Dr. Sharma will obtain support and training to elaborate the skills essential for him to become
an independent investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9963046
- **Project number:** 5K08HL131987-04
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
- **Principal Investigator:** Umesh C Sharma
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $197,370
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-15 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9963046

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9963046, Galectin-3-Mediated Post-Ischemic Myocardial Dysfunction and its Inhibition by a Novel Peptide   N-Acetyl-Seryl-Aspartyl-Lysyl-Proline (5K08HL131987-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9963046. Licensed CC0.

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