Cardiac Surgery Research
The Ailawadi and Salmon Lab in the Cardiac Surgery Division researches the roles of different cell types during aortic aneurysm formation and possible rupture.
Ailawadi and Salmon Lab
Our laboratory research focuses on the roles of different cell types during aortic aneurysm formation and possible rupture. First, we aim to define cellular and molecular mechanisms of aortic aneurysm formation to identify potential novel therapeutic targets. Here we are currently exploring the role of IL-1 pathway activation, IL-6 pathway activation, and resolution of inflammation chemicals known as resolvins. Our current focus is also on the role of non-coding RNAs molecules, such as microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs on immune cell activation, smooth muscle and endothelial cell dysfunction. We have also developed a number of recently murine and porcine models to study the role of rupture in abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm formation and we aim to develop a novel, noninvasive method to identify potential rupture risk in patients using SPECT/CT imaging. We are also exploring novel models to couple aortic aneurysm formation to valvular diseases in the ascending aorta. Our overall goal as a lab is to develop a pharmacologic treatment therapy to slow or cause regress of aortic aneurysms and to track that regress through noninvasive means.
Our laboratory uses a wide variety of research models including murine models of abdominal, descending thoracic, and ascending aortic aneurysms, porcine models of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms and in vitro models using immune, endothelial, smooth muscle, and epithelial cells. Laboratory techniques utilized include flow cytometry, multiplex-ELISA, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, Western blot, real-time qPCR, primary cell isolations, zymography, and a variety of molecular and biochemical assays. Murine techniques include transgenic mice, bone marrow transplantation, adoptive transfer of cells, in vivo immune cell ablation, histology, and molecular imaging.
All of our research residents have been quite productive with many laboratory and clinical publications as well as many presentations at national or international conferences. We foster collaborations with other residents and faculty both within and outside of Surgery, and we encourage our research residents to have multiple research projects (laboratory or clinical) ongoing to gain maximal opportunity for success.
John A. Kern, MD
Dr. Kern is dedicated to educating and mentoring residents at the University of Virginia. In 2014 he was awarded the prestigious Socrates Award from the Thoracic Surgeons Residents Association. This award is given in recognition of dedication to residency training. His research interests include spinal cord protection and aortic aneurysms.
Nicholas R. Teman, MD
Assistant Professor
Nicholas R. Teman, MD
Dr. Teman is a cardiac surgeon at UVA, where he directs the adult ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) program and is co-director of the thoracic and cardiovascular ICU. He specializes in all aspects of adult cardiac surgery, including coronary artery disease, valvular disease, surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation, mechanical circulatory support, heart transplantation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Leora T. Yarboro, MD
Dr. Yarboro’s research interests include surgical simulation and resident education.
Kenan W. Yount, MD
Assistant Professor
Kenan W. Yount, MD
Dr. Yount joined the UVA faculty in the Division of Cardiac Surgery in 2018. His primary research interests include heart valve disease, enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery, cardiac surgical outcomes, health policy and health economics.
Ailawadi and Salmon Lab
Our laboratory research focuses on the roles of different cell types during aortic aneurysm formation and possible rupture. First, we aim to define cellular and molecular mechanisms of aortic aneurysm formation to identify potential novel therapeutic targets. Here we are currently exploring the role of IL-1 pathway activation, IL-6 pathway activation, and Resolution of inflammation chemicals known as Resolvins. Our current focus is also on the role of non-coding RNAs molecules, such as microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs on immune cell activation, smooth muscle and endothelial cell dysfunction. We have also developed a number of recently murine and porcine models to study the role of rupture in abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm formation and we aim to develop a novel, noninvasive method to identify potential rupture risk in patients using SPECT/CT imaging. We are also exploring novel models to couple aortic aneurysm formation to valvular diseases in the ascending aorta. Our overall goal as a lab is to develop a pharmacologic treatment therapy to slow or cause regress of aortic aneurysms and to track that regress through noninvasive means.
Our laboratory uses a wide variety of research models including murine models of abdominal, descending thoracic, and ascending aortic aneurysms, porcine models of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms and in vitro models using immune, endothelial, smooth muscle, and epithelial cells. Laboratory techniques utilized include flow cytometry, multiplex-ELISA, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, Western blot, real-time qPCR, primary cell isolations, zymography, and a variety of molecular and biochemical assays. Murine techniques include transgenic mice, bone marrow transplantation, adoptive transfer of cells, in vivo immune cell ablation, histology, and molecular imaging.
All of our research residents have been quite productive with many laboratory and clinical publications as well as many presentations at national or international conferences. We foster collaborations with other residents and faculty both within and outside of surgery, and we encourage our research residents to have multiple research projects (laboratory or clinical) ongoing to gain maximal opportunity for success.
Gorav Ailawadi, MD
Dr. Ailawadi is one of five principal investigators leading the CTSN linked research consortium (NIH) developing new trials in cardiac surgery. In addition, Dr. Ailawadi is the surgical principal investigator for the Summit Trial investigating TENDYNE, a transcatheter mitral valve replacement without stopping the heart. His NIH-funded research lab studies new treatments for aortic aneurysms. He has been the principal investigator for a novel clip on the left atrium of the heart to try to prevent strokes associated with open-heart surgery. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed manuscripts in journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, and JACC.
Mark E. Roeser, MD
Dr. Roeser’s research emphasis is on treating ischemia reperfusion injury in ECMO patients. He is working to expand the lung donor pool, by rehabbing donor lungs outside the body. Dr. Roeser has combined these two techniques and has developed a porcine model that is able to rehab lungs affected by sepsis inside the body. He is also developing a stent that can be placed inside the heart to make mechanical assist devices more efficient and easier to manage long term.
Nicholas R. Teman, MD
Assistant Professor
Nicholas R. Teman, MD
Dr. Teman is a cardiac surgeon at UVA, where he directs the adult ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) program and is co-director of the thoracic and cardiovascular ICU. He specializes in all aspects of adult cardiac surgery, including coronary artery disease, valvular disease, surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation, mechanical circulatory support, heart transplantation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.