Our basic and translational research programs focus on four major disease-oriented areas:

• Vascular Biology and Disease
• Myocardial Biology and Heart Failure
• Cardiac Excitability and Arrhythmias
• Cardiovascular Development and Genetics

Investigators in these programs include:

• Dr. Glenn I. Fishman, a leader in the field of cardiovascular investigation. He and his colleagues have spent the past decade studying the molecular pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, particularly related to mechanisms responsible for lethal heart rhythm disorders.
• Dr. Edward A. Fisher, who uses state-of-the-art techniques to explore the biology of diseases of the vasculature. His group focuses on the regulation of the lipid risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease.
• Dr. William A. Coetzee - whose overall objective is to study the role of ion translocating mechanisms (ion channels and exchangers) in cardiovascular function during health and disease.
• Dr. David Gutstein, investigating the role of cell-cell communication in heart development.
• Dr. Gregory Morley , exploring the basis for normal and abnormal cardiac excitability and arrhythmogenesis.
• Dozens of trainees at all stages of development (medical students, graduate students, house staff, and fellows).

Basic and translational research within the division will be closely aligned and integrated with the School of Medicine's Cardiovascular Biology Program (CVBP). A key strategic growth area for the Medical Center, the CVBP will be housed in the new Joan and Joel Smilow Research Center on its completion in 2006.

In 2003 the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center was established at the VA Medical Center New York under the direction of Dr. Judith Hochman.

Molecular genetic studies of the development of the heart's specialized cardiac conduction system.	Echocardiographic visualization of cor triatriatum, a rare congenital anomaly.
Heart cell structure in mutant mice with abnormal intercellular junctions.	In vivo MRI analysis of atherosclerotic lesions in the mouse aorta.