Our foundation is perhaps the most worthy to work for: Each step toward its objectives will have impact on improving the health of the nation. We need individuals dedicated to fighting cardiovascular disease or cancer, working from home, contacting our sponsors, helping us move forward.
Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. At the same time, you will learn precious skills and experience in working for medical research organizations, and one day may become our full-time employee devoted to exciting advancements on the biggest issues in human health. For information, email us at ContactUs@heartFirst.org, or call (775) 201-5711
NEW PROJECTS: Disease Risk Determination
A team of investigators, including Dr. Kozarov as Principal Investigator, obtained an award from the National Institutes of Health to explore the genetic background of the infectious agents discovered to reside in atherosclerotic plaques. The investigations involve testing of patient specimens from diseased and from healthy sites to identify unique disease-associated virulence factors (“disease genotype”). This investigation will enable us to design diagnostic tools for risk assessment and therapies. This approach will also likely identify moieties involved in cross talk between invasive clinical strains and the vascular tissue.
Human Tissue Invasion-Associated Factors
A tem of investigators, including Dr. Kozarov as Principal Investigator, obtained an award from the National Institutes of Health to identify unique invasion-associated virulence factors in the genetic background of the infectious agents discovered to reside in atherosclerotic plaques. Identification of the virulence mechanisms and genetic heterogeneity of these agents will likely identify moieties involved in cross talk between invasive bacteria and the human tissue. Such information will facilitate the development of novel defined molecular approaches for the disease treatment.NEWS
In their latest paper published in February 2008, a team of researchers including Dr. Emil Kozarov demonstrated the ability of infectious agents to reside in tissues from large vessels, isolated from patients. The micrograph represents the infectious agent (red dots) residing in vascular endothelial cells (Li L. et al, BMC Microbiology, 2008, 8:26). Such microorganisms have been shown to destabilize and disrupt tissues, therefore they may be the culprit for triggering heart attack and stroke.
THE VASCULAR RESEARCH FOUNDATION is dedicated to promoting human health via achieving victory over diseases of the vascular system such as atherosclerosis and cancer. The purpose of the VRF is to support medical research reducing the threat of vascular diseases, leading to healthier life. This goal will be pursued through innovative biomedical research. For this, VRF solicits funds for conducting biomedical and clinical studies of children and adults using state-of-the-art approaches in interdisciplinary teams at the most advanced US medical centers. VRF supports and promotes original non-duplicated investigations through peer directed process.
