Robbins Lab

Overview

My laboratory has established the means to direct the heart to synthesize normal and mutant proteins. We can turn these on and off at will. This allows us to establish cause-and-effect relationships between these mutant proteins and the development of cardiac disease.

Meet Dr. Robbins

Jeffrey Robbins, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics and Chair, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology.
Associate Chair, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation.

Cutting-Edge Technology

The Robbins' lab develops and takes advantage of the latest technology. Shown are two views of a mouse heart, whose function is being measured using an experimental MRI with a 7T magnet. We have also injected a high contrast agent to further increase the precision of the analysis. Click on either movie to see a higher resolution version.

To understand these relationships, and to establish models in which the pathogenic processes can be studied longitudinally, we have created genetically modified mice and rabbits that synthesize the mutant proteins. Subsequently, one can determine whether or not the protein's presence causes the effects directly or indirectly. The goal is to define potential therapeutic targets.

By affecting the heart's protein complement in a defined manner, one has the means to establish both mechanism and the function of the different mutated proteins. By directing expression of an engineered protein to the heart, one is now able to effectively remodel the cardiac protein profile and study the consequences of a single genetic manipulation at the molecular, biochemical, cytological and physiologic levels.

Jeff Robbins CV (.pdf)