01/06/2023
By Yuho Kim

The UMass Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology (BMEBT) program invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation proposal defense by Varun Dhorajia on “Role of ABCB8 transporter protein in FRDA cardiomyopathy.”

Date: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: Dugan Hall 204 Conference Room

Committee Members:

  • Prof. Dhimiter Bello, Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Shannon L. Kelleher, Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Jonghan Kim, Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Yuho Kim (Chair), Physical Therapy & Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neuro- and cardio-degenerative disease, which is caused by diminished expression of frataxin, a key protein for mitochondrial iron homeostasis and metabolism. With abnormal frataxin expression, FRDA is characterized by mitochondrial iron overload that leads to mitochondrial dysfunction along with oxidative stress. Although cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of premature death in FRDA, the underlying mechanism remains unclear and no cure is available. Given that there is a strong correlation between frataxin and mitochondrial iron transporter protein ABCB8, it is curious if/how ABCB8 plays a role in the development of FRDA cardiomyopathy. Therefore, this proposal will focus on identifying roles of ABCB8 on mitochondrial iron homeostasis in FRDA cell model.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.