Sharma Lab
Work in the laboratory of Arun Sharma, PhD, focuses on the application of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for modeling cardiovascular diseases in vitro. The lab utilizes cutting-edge technologies including hiPSCs, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, cardiac microfluidic organ-chips, and cardiac organoids in our studies. In particular, we have used hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells) to model cardiac viral infections during COVID-19, examine the developmental mechanisms underlying congenital heart disease, and understand ways to alleviate the cardiac toxicity caused by cancer drugs. From ongoing studies, we also have a unique background and interest in space biology, and notably ways that stem cell biology can intersect with this emerging field.
Personal Statement
I have a long-standing interest at the intersection of stem cell biology and cardiovascular biology, focusing on ways to effectively model diseases in a dish. In particular, I am excited by the prospect of making in vitro biology as close as possible to the in vivo. Recent developments in technologies that can intersect with stem cell biology, such as CRISPR/Cas9 and organ-chips, can help take in vitro disease modeling to the next level. Outside of the lab, I am also an advocate for effectively communicating science to general and scientific audiences through public speaking, while mentoring junior scientists at Cedars-Sinai and beyond.”
Arun Sharma, PhD
- Using stem cell-derived cardiovascular cells for modeling chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular toxicity
- Developing multicell lineage in vitro platforms such as cardiovascular organ-chips and cardiac organoids for studying cardiovascular diseases in a dish
- Studying the effects of microgravity and spaceflight on human tissues using stem cell-derived cells as a model and for biomanufacturing purposes
Collaborations
External
- International Society for Stem Cell Research
- American Heart Association
- Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS)
Meet Our Team
Learn more about the scientists, faculty members, investigators and other healthcare professionals of the Sharma Laboratory, whose dedicated efforts lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
Sharma A, Sances S, Workman MJ, Svendsen CN.
Cell Stem Cell. 2020 Mar 5;26(3):309-329.
Sharma A, Burridge PW, McKeithan WL, Serrano R, Shukla P, Sayed N, Churko JM, Kitani T, Wu H, Holmström A, Matsa E, Zhang Y, Kumar A, Fan AC, Del Álamo JC, Wu SM, Moslehi JJ, Mercola M, Wu JC.
Sci Transl Med. 2017 Feb 15;9(377):eaaf2584.
Sharma A, Garcia G Jr, Wang Y, Plummer JT, Morizono K, Arumugaswami V, Svendsen CN.
Cell Rep Med. 2020 Jul 21;1(4):100052.