In the field of Environmental Cardiology, Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar is working to identify and define the cardiovascular effects of environmental aldehydes.  The project focuses on the study of pathways involved in the detoxification of aldehydes (Dr. Russell Prough, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), the role of aldehydes in atherosclerosis, platelet and endothelial activation (Dr. Stanley D’Souza, Physiology and Biophysics), and in myocardial function (Dr. Sumanth Prabhu, Medicine). 

In a related project, Dr. Sanjay Srivastava (medicine) is working to elucidate the metabolic pathways that regulate the cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of base propenals generated from oxidant-induced DNA damage. 

These projects are greatly aided by the creation of the CEGIB infrastructure that facilitates biomarker discovery efforts and resolution of molecular pathways involved in cardiovascular toxicity.  The scope of research efforts in the area of environmental cardiology has been expanded to include particulate matter and endogenous mediators of systemic inflammation in human populations.  Future directions will continue to build on existing strengths and emphasize the human and translational components of the investigation. 

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