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The Margulies Lab examines mechanisms of myocardial remodeling to identify targets for therapeutic interventions. Many of our inquiries are initiated by multilevel examinations of explanted human heart tissues obtained at the time of transplantation or organ donation to identify dominant disease features and mechanisms and derive insights from the heterogeneity of myocardial adaptations. The Margulies lab has a longstanding focus on load-dependent myocardial remodeling encompassing studies of both physiologic and pathologic adaptation.  Related to this theme, multiple projects are examining how microtubules and other cytoskeletal elements regulate cardiomyocyte contractility and other cellular processes.  Active areas of inquiry also include disease-associated shifts in cardiac metabolism, mechanisms of inherited cardiomyopathies, and advanced myocardial phenotyping using digital pathology and machine learning techniques.  Our inquiries exploit multiscale techniques and models including ex vivo studies in primary cardiomyocytes and muscle slices and cardiomyocytes; complementary studies using cardiomyocytes and engineered cardiac microtissues derived from induced pluripotent stem cells; discovery-oriented "omics" platforms; and strategic patient-based clinical studies.

Research News

  • Congratulations to Dr. Vite on receiving two AHA grants!

    Congratulations to Dr. Alexia Vite on being awarded both the American Heart Association Career Development Award and Second Century Early Faculty Independence Award!

  • New paper out!

    Congratulations to Nesrine Bouhrira on her recent publication "Distinct cytoskeletal regulators of mechanical memory in cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes"

  • We're looking for new post doctoral fellows!

    Title:     Advanced Mechanics of 3-D Heart Tissues

    Description:  To support ongoing NIH-funded investigations, the Margulies Lab has an open postdoctoral position focused on myocardial disease modeling and preclinical therapeutic testing.  Ongoing and planned research employs both ex-vivo human myocardial slices and 3-D engineered heart tissues to achieve unique synergies and cross-validation.  Both platforms allow application of mechanical stress, rigorous mechanical testing, and live tissue imaging techniques.  Target research themes include modeling genetic cardiomyopathies, microtubule-dependent regulation of mechanotransduction and contractility, ECM-cardiomyocyte interactions, and load-dependent remodeling of metabolic pathways.  This position will utilize and develop expertise in cell biology, tissue engineering, imaging and preclinical pharmacology and provide opportunities for high-impact publications and collaborations with leading investigators within the UPenn Cardiovascular Institute.

    Qualifications:  MD and/or PhD required. Previous research laboratory experience is required.  Experience with cell biology, engineering and/or muscle biology is preferred.  The candidate must be diligent, self-motivated with strong interpersonal and organization skills.  Competitive compensation for appropriate expertise.

    Reference Websites: 

    Margulies Laboratory, Penn Cardiovascular Institute (https://www.med.upenn.edu/margulieslab/)

    Leducq Cytoskeletal Network

    https://www.fondationleducq.org/network/cytoskeletal-regulation-of-cardiomyocyte-homeostasis-in-health-and-disease/

    Please forward a cover letter, a current CV, and the names/addresses of 3 references to Kenneth Margulies, MD (kenb@pennmedicine.upenn.edu)