Welcome to the Vyas lab
The central research goal of our lab is to identify the molecular underpinnings of adverse maternal fetal cardio-metabolic outcomes from exposure to altered sex hormone milieu and endocrine disrupting chemicals in-utero.
We are focusing on elucidating the mechanisms by which the perinatal environment can modulate biological processes in the offspring by integrating gestational physiology in a large animal model with cellular and molecular biology. Knowledge gained through these studies will help identify strategies targeted toward prevention and treatment such adverse outcomes.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with a prevalence rate of 49.2% increasing with age in males and females. Despite significant advances in identifying CVD risk factors and their therapeutics, the morbidity and mortality from CVD remain high. Substantial evidence from human, animal, and epidemiological studies indicate that early life insults in-utero adversely program the cardiometabolic system, thereby predisposing to CVD later in life. Moreover, the underlying molecular mechanisms and sex-specific impact of CVD-related pathological cardiac remodeling and associated morbidity and mortality are not well understood.
Currently we are addressing the sex specific impact of such in-utero insults on the cardio metabolic system in the offspring utilizing a sheep model of gestational androgen excess.
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Principal Investigator
Arpita Vyas, MD, DCH
The inception of Vyas’ consideration of a career in pediatrics started while serving in an orphanage in San Jose as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s course, spanning two years. This passion was further strengthened during medical school, rotating through various pediatric subspecialties at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Completing her medical education in 2001, she trained at Britain’s premier institutes, including Sheffield and Birmingham Children’s Hospitals. Continuing her clinical training here at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Rainbow Babies in Cleveland.
Vyas aspires to expand her research portfolio in the field of maternal-fetal medicine and long-term offspring outcomes from adverse in-utero insults. focusing on elucidating the mechanisms by which the perinatal environment can modulate biological processes in the offspring by integrating gestational physiology in a large animal model with cellular and molecular biology.
