Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression in the Heart
Advancing the science of heart failure through research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship.
Unlocking New Ways to Protect the Heart:
Discovering Novel Epigenetic Targets for Ischemic Injury
Our lab’s innovative work investigating epigenetic mechanisms of cardiac injury in uncovering new therapeutic targets for protecting the heart from ischemic damage and advancing strategies for cardiac recovery.
About Franklin LabOur Research
Franklin Lab is focused on understanding the epigenetic factors regulating gene expression changes in the heart during the development of pathological hypertrophy and failure. We have utilized quantitative mass spectrometry to identify novel chromatin-binding proteins differentially regulated in a mouse model of pressure-overload hypertrophy and have evaluated the role of these proteins on chromatin structure, gene expression, and cardiac physiology using isolated cell and animal models. This includes two members of the SMYD family of histone methyltransferases, SMYD1 and SMYD5. Parallel studies aim to characterize the contribution of histone variants and post-translational modifications on genomic plasticity with the long-term goal of understanding the mechanistic basis for genomic regulation in cardiac development and disease.
Featured Publications
Recent publications highlight groundbreaking findings on the genetic mechanisms of heart disease, novel therapeutic approaches for heart failure, and innovative strategies for improving cardiovascular health outcomes.
Cardiomyocyte-specific loss of Smyd5 leads to a robust activation of inflammatory signaling and heart failure in mice.
Bia R., Hickenlooper S M, Miller M R, Li C C, Horiuchi E, Bakhtina A, Wang L, Valdez S, Davis K, Anderson A, Garcia-Llana J, Farese L, O’Very S, Santa Ana N, Jacobsen A, Dellerman K, Gwynn C, Durrant J, Visker J R, Kyriakopoulos C P, Sideris K, Drakos S G, Szulik M W, Thorp E B, Smale S T, Franklin S.
Smyd1a protects the heart from ischemic injury by regulating OPA1-mediated cristae remodeling and supercomplex formation.
Szulik M W, Valdez S, Walsh M, Davis K, Bia R, Horiuchi E, O’Very S, Laxman A K, Sandaklie-Nicolova L, Eberhardt D R, Durrant J R, Sheikh H, Hickenlooper S, Creed M, Brady C, Miller M, Wang L, Garcia-Llana J, Tracy C, Drakos S G, Funai K, Chaudhuri D, Boudina S, Franklin S.
Distinct Transcriptomic and Proteomic Profile Specifies Patients Who Have Heart Failure With Potential of Myocardial Recovery on Mechanical Unloading and Circulatory Support.
Drakos S G, Badolia R, Makaju A, Kyriakopoulos C P, Wever-Pinzon O, Tracy C M, Bakhtina A, Bia R, Parnell T, Taleb I, Ramadurai D K A, Navankasattusas S, Dranow E, Hanff T C, Tseliou E, Shankar T S, Visker J, Hamouche R, Stauder E L, Caine W T, Alharethi R, Selzman C H, Franklin S.
Mentorship and Training
Dr Franklin has a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive training environment for the next generation of scientists and physician-scientists.
The Franklin Lab offers mentorship, professional development, and hands-on research opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, with training tailored to diverse career goals in academic research, medicine, biotechnology, and industry. Through programs including UROP and SURE, trainees gain early exposure to cardiovascular research and develop the skills and experiences needed to pursue careers in science and medicine. Trainee success is central to the lab’s mentorship mission, with more than 100 publications authored by trainees under Dr. Franklin’s mentorship, numerous competitive pre- and postdoctoral fellowships and career development awards from organizations including the American Heart Association and National Institutes of Health, and alumni who have gone to successful careers in academia, industry, medicine, and other research-related fields.
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