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•Cardiac Arrhythmias•Cardiovascular Disease•Sudden Cardiac Death

Programs of Study

Heart Disease

Electrophysiology Molecular Genetics

Molecular Biology Stem Cell Research

Results are published in leading medical

journals worldwide

MOLECULAR GENETICS

Congenital heart disease

Primary electrical abnormalities

Coronary artery disease

Cardiomyopathies

Drug-induced arrhythmias

Electrolyte abnormalities

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS FOR MUTATIONS

• Chemical substances

• Radioactive substances

• UV Radiation

• Pollution

• Smoking

• Diet

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)MMRL scientists provided the first direct evidence linking some incidences of

SIDS to a cardiac arrhythmia known as Long QT syndrome in New England Journal of Medicine, 2000

Atrial Fibrillation

• Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia seen in clinical practice, affecting over 2.5 million Americans.

Prevalence is increasing rapidly, in large part related to increasing longevity of our population

>Affects 5% under 65 years of age and 20% among individuals 80 years old and over

Lifetime risk of developing AF in individuals over 40 years of age is 1 in 4 (Lloyd-Jones, 2004)

MMRL Discovers New Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation (September 28, 2010)

The Cardiac Research Institute of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory (MMRL) of Utica, NY publication of a research paper in October 5, 2010 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed, for the first time, a potent effect of the combination of two drugs, ranolazine and dronedarone, to produce a safe and effective means of suppressing atrial fibrillation (AF) in experimental models of AF. The study was conducted in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, Inc. of Foster City, CA. This study was selected as number 1 by  MDLinx among the thousands of cardiology papers published that week. 

Clinical TrialsClinical trials are in the planning stages and are anticipated to start in early 2011. They

will be conducted at medical centers throughout the country. The Masonic Medical Research Laboratory does not conduct clinical trials at its facility. Individuals interested in participating in the clinical trials of the effectiveness of the ranolazine and dronedarone combination as a treatment for atrial fibrillation should contact their clinician or cardiologist once the trials are announced..

iPSInduced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Skin Cells (Fibroblasts) > Stem Cells > Cardiomyocytes

iPS cells Derived Cardiomyocytes Human Model of

Arrhythmic diseases

Regenerative Medicine

To better understand the

cause and disease mechanisms

Discovery of anti-arrhythmic drugsBetter treatment for healthy heart

Better management of the patients

Stem Cell Projects at the MMRL

* Potentially therapeutic uses without the controversial use of embryos

•Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) can be thendifferentiated into Cardiomyocytes.

Pluripotent genes are downregulated after differentiation

(2-3 weeks)

(serum free media supplementedwith growth factors)

Differentiation protocols using a chemically-defined media

Oct4NanogLin28Sox2

Transfection of4 transcription factors (they activate pluripotent genes)

(4-6 weeks)Fibroblasts

Using Nature’s Platform to Engineer a Bioartificial Heart

Ghost Heart

Lab-Grown HeartGhost Heart

Education• Pre-doctoral

• Post-doctoral

• Summer Fellowship

• BOCES Regional Program for Excellence

• BOCES Shadowing Program

• Young Scholars LPP

• STEM Program in partnership with SUNY IT

Medical Research is relevant to every human being

Our health tomorrow depends on discoveries that emanate from medical research today. Only through a sustained investment in medical research will scientists have the capability to design better and more rational medical treatments and cures.

The MMRL is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Tax deductible gifts of cash, securities, real estate, annuities and life insurance are welcome..Wills and bequests to the MMRL provide the means to leave a lasting legacy from which your children and grandchildren can benefit.