Research summary
Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are metabolic illnesses caused by dysfunctional mitochondria. (Mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of cells.) As Canada Research Chair in Mitochondrial and Metabolic Regulation in Health and Disease, Dr. Kimberly Dunham-Snary’s goal is to find ways to improve care for patients with CMDs like obesity, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.
She and her research team are studying how mitochondrial structure and genetics alter the body’s cell-signalling switchboard in patients with CMDs, leading to cell growth and inflammation and modifying circulating biomolecules. By identifying a "fingerprint" for CMDs, they hope to enable early intervention for people at risk. Ultimately, their findings will improve patient outcomes and help to identify new therapies.