Physician Investigator (Cl) Cardiovascular Research Center, Mass General Research Institute

Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School

Associate Physician Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital

MD 1978

aortic valve disease; echocardiography; echocardiography three-dimensional; ischemic mitral regurgitation; mitral valve; mitral valve insufficiency; mitral valve prolapse; myocardial ischemia; papillary muscles; tinnitus; valvular heart disease; ventricular remodeling

The Leducq Transatlantic Network of Excellence in Mitral Valve Disease, based in the Division of Cardiology at MGH and coordinated by Dr. Robert A. Levine in the Cardiac Ultrasound Laboratory, applies techniques of molecular genetics and cell and developmental biology to clinically derived material and experimental models of mitral valve disease, a major source of heart failure and mortality worldwide.

It aims to discover common themes among different conditions affecting the mitral valve and to understand the lexicon of growth signals that can lead to successful interventions. The network fosters dynamic interactions among basic and clinical investigators at MGH and major national and international institutions.

This alliance of investigators moves genetic findings into model systems to understand their effect on valve biology and test potential therapies while providing junior investigators opportunities for career growth.