Investigating cardioprotective system against myocardial infarction: is mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) a new player? (Ms Tayyiba Azam)
Manchester researchers are studying a protein in the heart that they believe could have protective properties for heart cells. During a heart attack, a portion of the heart is starved of its blood supply. This kills or injures a large number of heart muscle cells, which can lead to severe long term health problems such as heart failure. A range of treatments exist to restore the blood supply to the heart, but we don’t have current treatments to prevent heart cell death. This team are investigating a protein in the heart that they believe has this potential Dr Wang and colleagues at the University of Manchester have demonstrated that when a protein known as MKK7 is deleted in heart cells of mice, they are much more vulnerable to cell death. This suggests that it is involved in a protective system that we may be able to harness in humans. In this project they will delve deeper into the role of MKK7; studying if and how it protects against cell death after heart attack. They will do this both in animals with changes in MKK7 and then in specially-modified human heart cells. If successful, the ultimate goal is to design a new medicine that can boost the effects of MKK7. This could prevent or reduce cell death following a heart attack, reducing people’s risk of death or heart failure.
Project details
| Grant amount | £115,166 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Fellowships |
| Application type | PhD Studentship |
| Start Date | 01 January 1900 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | FS/19/39/34447 |
| Status | In Progress |
