In this issue of the CTSC Newsletter we highlight:

• Dr. Sabina Hirshfield, Department of Medicine, who is evaluating the use and effectiveness of a smartphone-based messaging platform in a public health strategy supported by the CDC
• Dr. Adam Budzikowski, Department of Medicine, who is pursuing plans to participate in a multi-center study to evaluate the value of antitachycardia pacing (ATP) in primary prevention patients with implantable carrioverter defribrillators
• Dr. Oleg Evgrafov, Department of Cell Biology, who is developing cellular models to elucidate the neurodevelopmental aspects of schizophrenia.

Dr. Adam Budzikowski

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death using Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are designed to keep track of your heart rate and stop fast heart rhythms that may become life-threatening. These life-threatening heart rhythms are called ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Primary prevention refers to ICDs in individuals who are at risk for, but have not yet had an episode of continued VT or VF.

ICDs have special capabilities that are referred to as programming within the device (like a computer) that allow the device to have specific settings for different features the device can offer. ICD devices allow the heart to return to a stable, regular heart rhythm by applying an electrical shock to the heart. Shocks can stop both VT and VF and may be considered lifesaving. However, shocks can cause discomfort. They may also occur when unnecessary, which is known as “inappropriate “shock therapy.

Dr. Adam Budzikowski, Assistant Professor of Medicine, will be participating in a multi-center study to evaluate the value of Antitachycardia Pacing (ATP) in primary prevention patients who receive ICDs. The ultimate goal of this study is to critically assess how certain programming of ICDs may reduce the number of shocks received and improve survival rate.

Additional information regarding this study can be found on the NIH Clinical Trials website.

Dr. Oleg Evgrafov

Professor of Cell Biology

Developing Biological Models to Study the Genetic Etiology of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia has a heritability as high as 80% making it a genetic disease tha believed to be influenced by environmental factors. Mechanisms of the disease are defined by genetic variants, which are translated into phenotype through multiple genetic, molecular and cellular processes. Most of schizophrenia heritability is explained by common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Currently, over 250 schizophrenia-associated loci have been identified but future genomic studies are needed to help us better understand the etiology of the disease. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data suggest that most genetic variants involved in schizophrenia etiology act through altering gene expression; thus, expression profiling in appropriate biological models, such as the one under development at SUNY Downstate by Dr. Oleg Evgrafov, professor of cell biology and member of the Institute for Genomic Health, has the potential to become a centerpiece of genetic studies of schizophrenia to link GWAS, epigenetic, gene expression and cell function studies and model mechanisms of the disease.

Dr. Evgrafov, working closely with Dr. James Knowles and Drs Carlos and Michele Pato, is developing a cellular model to elucidate the neurodevelopmental aspects of schizophrenia. Nasal biopsies on individuals with schizophrenia and control subjects recruited from the NIH-supported Genomic Psychiatry Cohort study have enabled Dr. Evgrafov to establish cell lines from individuals with schizophrenia and control subjects. These olfactory neuroepithelium cell lines, which continue to be derived from eligible research subjects, are being used to elucidate the neurodevelopmental aspects of schizophrenia. This translational research, beginning at the bench in laboratories at Downstate, holds great promise for identifying “missing links” in the schizophrenia disease mechanisms by enabling researchers to find associations and underlying molecular processes between genome and gene expression, gene expression and cellular functions and cellular functions and phenotype (diagnosis).

Did you know...?

Cell lines are an integral part of biomedical research. Tens of thousands of cell lines have been established in laboratories worldwide from a variety of sources including humans, animals, insects, and plants. In biomedical research, cell lines have a variety of applications including measuring the effects of radiation, drugs, chemicals, toxins, and viruses, the development of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, and, as highlighted in this CTSC Newsletter, genomic studies of diseases such as schizophrenia. The use of cancer cell lines in cancer research as experimental model systems has been especially important. The first human cancer cell line, known by the name HeLa, was established more than sixty years ago, and has remained in culture within a multitude of research laboratories globally, ever since. According to the National Institutes of Health, there is no cancer drug in current use that was not first tested in a cultured cell model.

Q: What is the difference between a CTSC Member and CTSC Authorized User?

A. We recently changed how we define Downstate faculty engaged in clinical and translational research who apply for, and are approved to use the CTSC facility and services. Faculty with IRB-approved protocols who need shared facilities to support their clinical research activities such as subject meetings and treatment rooms, phlebotomy service, etc. and basic scientists in need of clinical collaborators to plan and implement studies involving human subjects are all eligible to become Authorized Users of the CTSC. Following submission, review and approval of applications, for IRB approved studies, they may use the facility. The clinical research group is granted permission to reserve CTSC space to meet with research subjects, use CTSC services and laboratory equipment, and participate in CTSC activities. The basic scientists group are invited to participate in all CTSC activities including investigator meetings, seminars, and to use shared laboratory equipment housed in the CTSC. Both groups are now defined as Authorized Users of the CTSC.

HOW TO BECOME AN AUTHORIZED USER OF THE CTSC
AT SUNY DOWNSTATE

The CTSC is a division of the Downstate Institute for Genomic Health (IGH), Dr. Michele Pato, Executive Director. SUNY Downstate faculty are welcome to apply to become authorized users of the CTSC. There are no fees associated with becoming an authorized user. For additional information, visit https://www.downstate.edu/ctsc

Questions? Email Dr. Richard Coico, CTSC Director, richard.coico@downstate.edu

Clinical and Translational Science Center
MSC 131, Nursing Station 52
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
445 Clarkson Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11203

Tel. 718.270.2017
Email: CTSC@downstate.edu
https://www.downstate.edu/ctsc

The CTSC facility at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is located on the 5th floor of

University Hospital of Brooklyn