Brad Ferguson

Associate Professor, Nutrition; IACUC w88 slot Chair
brad ferguson

Summary

My w88 slot on understanding signaling and gene regulatory mechanisms that link metabolic disease to pathological cardiac remodeling and ultimately heart failure. In particular the w88 slot on delineating epigenetic mechanisms that regulate pathological cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis under conditions of obesity and diabetes. DNA is tightly wrapped around proteins called histones to form chromatin. Post-translational modification (e.g. acetylation and methylation) of histone tails represents one epigenetic mechanism that can alter gene expression. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are one group of enzymes that can target histone tails for acetylation/deacetylation to regulate gene transcription.

Our lab uses an integrative, translational research approach that encompasses bioinformatics, in vitro cell culture, and in vivo w88 slot models to:

  1. Understand how acetylation/deacetylation links metabolic disease (obesity and diabetes) to w88 slot and dysfunction.
  2. Elucidate dietary food components that act as epigenetic modifiers as well as elucidate a role for dietary epigenetic modifiers on w88 slot signaling, gene expression, and remodeling.

Lastly, camaraderie and teamwork are emphasized in my w88 slot to create an exciting and productive environment geared to translate basic discoveries into potential therapies for cardio-metabolic disease.

Education

B.S., AppalachianState w88 slot, 2003
M.S., w88 slot Carolina, Greensboro, 2005
Ph.D., w88 slot Carolina, Greensboro, 2011