2008 Age Plus Prize Winner

Jonathan Afilalo
McGill University
Age-related changes in Lamin A/C expression in cardiomyocytes

Despite extensive research in the field of cardiology, little is known about the cardiovascular changes associated with normal aging. Even in the absence of diagnosed heart disease, aging is associated with decreased resilience to stressors. Understanding the aging heart may help address such impairments not usually detectable by clinical tests, and improve quality of life.

Dr. Afilalo and his colleagues conducted a laboratory study to compare the expression of Lamin A/C, a marker related to aging which had been studied in skin and bone but never in the heart, in cardiac muscle cells of old versus young mice using a mouse model of normal aging.

Results showed that compared to young controls, the expression of Lamin A/C in old mice was significantly reduced. The next step is to validate these findings in adult human populations and then to begin to explore the therapeutic and prognostic implications of our findings.

Dr. Afilalo plans on pursuing a career in academic cardiology, with a strong interest in the field of geriatric cardiology. This research project has helped him extend his research interests into the area of basic science, and to begin an effort to explore Lamin A/C from bench to bedside.

Currently in summer 2008, Dr. Afilalo is a 2nd year fellow in cardiology at McGill University. He is also interested in writing his thesis to complete a Masters degree in epidemiology at McGill. The next step in his career will be applying for subspecialty training in cardiology, which should begin in 2010.