Research summary
Myocardial injury occurs when the cells that are responsible for making the heart beat (cardiomyocytes) die and levels of cardiac troponin (a protein that regulates the contraction of muscles, including the heart) become elevated. This condition can lead to cardiomyopathy (a disease that makes it hard for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body) and cause cardiac remodelling-changes in the size, shape, structure and function of the heart. Ultimately, myocardial injury can result in heart failure.
As Canada Research Chair in Cardiac Remodelling, Dr. Burton Yang is studying the role of circular RNAs in regulating cardiac remodelling. He and his research team are testing hypotheses about the roles played by various genes in myocardial remodelling, cardiac fibrosis and atrial fibrillation. Ultimately, their research will support the development of therapeutics to treat myocardial injury.