Diane H.Munzenmaier, PhD Assistant Professor, Physiology Specialization: Genomics of Cardiovascular Disease
Tel: (414) 456-8557 Dr. Munzenmaier's CV Email Dr. Munzenmaier
A major interest of our laboratory has been the role of the renin-angiotensin system in vascular growth and remodeling through two major angiotensin II receptors with opposing roles. Recent evidence from our laboratory has suggested that blockade of the AT1 receptor results in an increase in cerebral microvessel density and protection from stroke. We are studying the role of these two receptors on the growth and maintenance of the brain vasculature as well as determining changes in expression and function in disease. Modulation of cerebral angiogenesis through manipulation of the renin-angiotensin system promises to have great impact on stroke prevention and recovery in the near future.
An area of interest that our laboratory is currently pursuing is attempting to dissect the complicated gene-environment interaction of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Obesity, which is more prevalent in the US than ever before, is a major risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease. But how much of that risk is genetic and how much is due to influences of unhealthy diet and lifestyle? Is it possible to oppose the effect of the genetic disease susceptibility through positive lifestyle changes? These are extremely difficult questions to address with human studies due to multiple genetic and environmental variables. Our intent is to utilize genetically-defined rats and specially-formulated diets to better understand the complex interaction between fat intake and genetic susceptibility to disease.
Finally, as a physiologist involved with genomics research, I have a strong interest in the utilization integration and of the enormous amount of genomic sequence data and functional annotation available with mechanistic, disease-based physiology research. The Rat Genome Database (RGD), developed and maintained at MCW, is the major resource of genomic information world-wide for biomedical researchers using the rat as a model organism. My goal is to make RGD even more accessible to investigators focused on basic science and disease mechanisms and to help educate these investigators as to how RGD can enhance and facilitate their research programs.
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