Identifying regulators of heart muscle cell formation holds promise for a greater understanding of congenital heart diseases and stem cell therapies. Our laboratory studies transcriptional regulators that control the commitment of precursor and stem cells to mature heart muscle cells. Furthermore, we are studying how reactivation of these same regulators causes the failing post-natal heart to weaken. Defining mechanisms of gene regulation in the heart will improve our understanding of congestive heart failure, an epidemic with implications for the health and well being of all societies.

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