Professor of Medicine
Associate Dean for Translational Research
Professor of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
Member of Duke Molecular Physiology Institute
Member in the Duke Clinical Research Institute
Carmichael Building
919-684-1808
svati.shah@duke.edu
RESEARCH
My research laboratory studies the molecular epidemiology of cardiometabolic diseases, utilizing metabolomic, genomic, proteomic and bioinformatics methods in a "systems biology" approach to identify novel biomarkers and mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. We lead several large cardiometabolic cohort studies including the Duke Kannapolis study, Project Baseline, PROMISE, EPGEN, CATHGEN and others, and we lead biomarker discovery efforts in large clinical trials through collaborations with the Duke Clinical Research Institute. The laboratory encompasses a significant computational component with statistician geneticists and biostatisticians, a clinical research component, as well as a wet lab component for genomic and proteomic analyses. We also work closely with the metabolomics core within the DMPI for metabolic studies. While we collaborate broadly across many diseases, our focus is on obesity, heart failure and atherosclerosis. Another facet of our laboratory is the study of monogenic disorders including studying patients with hereditary cardiovascular disorders in the Duke Adult Cardiovascular Genetics Clinic. Our work has resulted in the identification of novel CAD genes; metabolic biomarkers that predict incident CVD events; novel pathways of CVD event pathogenesis; and a greater understanding of the burden of monogenic cardiovascular disorders.
Metabolic Pathways and Cardiac Metabolism in Obesity and Heart Failure
The Shah lab has a research program in identifying metabolic pathways and related biomarkers of obesity and heart failure. We have identified novel metabolic pathways and relevant clinical markers of cardiometabolic disease risk including branched chain amino acids (BCAA) in obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and response to weight loss interventions; and impaired mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in heart failure. Cohorts we have collaboratively studied include the POMMS pediatric obesity cohort; surgical weight loss interventions; the Weight Loss Maintenance clinical trial; the STRRIDe clinical trial of exercise in metabolic syndrome; the EXCITE clinical trial of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and exercise; the HF-Action clinical trial; the EXSCEL and TECOS clinical trials; and studies within the NHLBI Heart Failure Network.
Proteomics and Integrated Omics in Atherosclerosis and Cardiometabolic Diseases
The Shah lab has a research program in using integrated omics in a systemic biology approach to identify novel pathways in atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic diseases. For example, we are studying integrated metabolic, proteomic and genomic pathways for identify of novel molecular mediators and related biomarkers for high risk coronary plaque in the PROMISE clinical trial.
Monogenic Cardiovascular Diseases
The Shah lab has a research program in understanding the prevalence, penetrance and missed opportunity of monogenic cardiovascular diseases. In addition, we have begun a research and clinical program in clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP).
Duke Kannapolis Research
Dr. Shah is Director of the Duke Kannapolis Research site which includes an ongoing longitudinal, diverse population-based cohort in North Carolina, the MURDOCK study, with clinical data, biospecimens and a highly engaged cohort. We would be happy to discuss collaborative studies in this unique cohort.
