Genetic Findings in Cardiovascular Research

There were two major genetic discoveries from Qing Wang, PhD, of the Lerner Research Institute:

Cross-Race Genetic Link to Arterial Diseases, Heart Attacks.

A year ago, researchers found that a cluster of genetic variants on a specific region of chromosome 9 is linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) in white people in northern Europe and North America. People who have that genetic quirk are more susceptible to developing CAD or having a heart attack. Dr. Wang and his team have shown the same genetic material also is associated with coronary artery disease in the South Korean population — the first evidence of cross-race susceptibility to CAD associated with the same specific combination of genetic variants. This finding could mean better genetic screening to identify people at risk for arterial disease or heart attacks.

Genetic Marker for Atrial Fibrillation

The discovery that a specific gene, when mutated, is linked to the devastating abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AF), could lead to new diagnostic tests and treatment options for cardiac patients. Dr. Wang found the new gene — NUP155 — by analyzing the genetics of a family with severe, early-onset AF and sudden cardiac death. The new finding may provide a new molecular target to develop patient-tailored treatment strategies to prevent or treat the common form of AF.