MSE Seminar: Zhaobo Fan, Control of Cardiac Extracellular Matrix Degradation and Cardiac Fibrosis after Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

After myocardial infarction (MI, also called heart attack), matrix metalloproteinases are significantly upregulated causing the degradation of cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM). This leads to the decrease of cardiac wall thickness and cardiac function. Meanwhile, cardiac fibrosis, characterized by the differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts into cardiac myofibroblasts and synthesis of excessive collagen, occurs after MI. The evolution of cardiac fibrosis leads to the progressive cardiac function decrease. To regulate cardiac ECM degradation and cardiac fibrosis, drug delivery systems were developed. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that the created systems significantly controlled these events after MI.

Bio

I received my Bachelor degree in polymer science and engineering at Qingdao University of Science and Technology. Due to the great interest in design and synthesis molecule, I came to U.S. to purse my master degree in Chemistry. In 2012, I graduated from SUNY Stony Brook and came here to study the biomaterial and their application in heart disease under supervision of Dr. Jianjun Guan. I enjoyed swimming and soccer in my spare time. My favorite soccer team is Chelsea.