Welcome

Nuclear dynamics in cardiovascular biology & disease

The Ikegami lab investigates mechanisms of gene regulation, chromosome organization, nuclear envelope functions, cardiovascular diseases, and age-associated diseases. Our current research focus is the biological functions of the nuclear envelope.  The nuclear envelope encloses the genome and interacts with chromatin. Mutations to genes encoding the nuclear envelope proteins cause a spectrum of degenerative diseases collectively called “laminopathies,” primarily affecting the cardiovascular system. We study (1) the gene regulatory functions of the nuclear envelope proteins; (2) the relationship between the nuclear envelope integrity and inflammation; and (3) the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathies and the accelerated aging disorder Hutchinson-Gilford progeria caused by nuclear lamin mutations. 

Our group uses a diverse experimental and computational techniques including functional genomics, mouse cardiac pathophysiological analyses, microscopy, cell engineering, stem cell differentiation, and bioinformatics. 

Our long-term goal is to understand principles governing the nuclear structure, function, and dynamics in human disease and aging.


Our lab is located to the Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.


We are currently recruiting highly motivated postdocs and graduate students. Please contact kohta.ikegami@cchmc.org if you are interested in!

Mouse cardiomyocyte stained for total Lamin A/C (red), Ser22-phosphorylated Lamin A/C (green) ,and actin (cyan)

Contact

Email: kohta.ikegami@cchmc.org

Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

240 Albert Sabin Way, MLC 7020, Room T4.378 (office) / T4.340 (lab), Cincinnati, OH 45229

Credit

Logo and favicon by my favorite scientist and artist Sophia Tintori!

Research support

National Institute for Health/National Institute for Aging R21/R33 AG054770