James Lab Research
My lab reflects both my interests as a scientist and as a pediatric cardiologist. I investigate the pathology behind abnormal heart function, and I am interested in uncovering the mechanisms that help the myocardium adapt to compensate for these abnormalities. One particular subject I study is the misfolded protein response, a mechanism by which the body targets abnormal cellular proteins for removal. In collaboration with Jeffrey Robbins, PhD, and other members of his laboratory, I am exploring the consequences of preamyloid oligomer accumulation (a manifestation of the misfolded protein response) in transgenic mouse models and human myocardium. In this venue, I am actively involved in the training of students and pediatric cardiology fellows.
My second broad area of interest is echocardiography in research animals. As director of the Mouse Echocardiography Core, I work with research sonographers to obtain detailed anatomic and functional data for a variety of species. We use a Vevo 770 ultrasound system equipped with high-frequency transducers, a tool optimized for small animal imaging. With this system we are able to acquire highly detailed two-dimensional images, as well as M-mode and Doppler images, of the heart and surrounding vascular structures. This imaging ability provides a core service to a number of investigators at Cincinnati Children’s.
