Mission Statement

Under the direction of Dr. Jie Cheng, the research goals of the Electrophysiology (EP) Research Lab are: (1) to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of various arrhythmias; (2) to develop new lines of inquiry in arrhythmia research using novel technology such as optical mapping systems; and (3) to develop new therapeutic strategies to treat various arrhythmias.

Projects

• Non-cholinergic vagal effects on atrial electrophysiological properties and vulnerability to atrial fibrillation
• Role of cytoskeletal proteins in arrhythmias
• Use of stem cell therapy to restore electrical activity in hibernating heart
• Proarrhythmic effects of B-type natriuretic peptide on failing heart
• Genetic screening in LQTS and Brugada Syndrome

The following achievements represent the current research in the EP Basic Research Laboratory:  

• Defined that the action of a novel peptide (small protein), vasoactive intestine polypeptide (VIP), is vagally mediated and leads to the development of atrial fibrillation in animal models.
• Demonstrated the proarrhythmic effects of a peptide, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), which can be detected in the blood of a patient population and confirmed the effects of BNP in an animal model.

Department Staff

• Jie Cheng, MD, PhD, FACC – Director 
• Yutao Xi, MD, PhD – Research Associate
• Junping Sun, MD, PhD – Research Fellow
• Shahrzad Abbasi, MS – Senior Research Assistant

Links

Heart Rhythm Society
www.hrsonline.org

Research Support 

Agency: American Heart Association Grant-in-Aid

Principal Investigator: Jie Cheng, MD, PhD

Title: Mechanisms underlying vasoactive intestine polypeptide's effects on atrial vulnerability to fibrillation

Contact Information and Location

Electrophysiology Basic Research Laboratory 
Jie Cheng, MD, PhD
E-mail: jcheng@heart.thi.tmc.edu
Phone: 832-355-2573

Mailing address:
MC 2-255 
PO Box 20345
Houston, TX 77225-0345