UFGI faculty profile – hideko kasahara

Name: Hideko Kasahara

Born: Tokyo , Japan

Position at UF: Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, College of Medicine , University of Florida

Job before this one: Instructor in Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Current research interest, in layman’s terms: Our current research interest is to understand the function of Nkx2.5, an evolutionarily conserved NK2 class of homeobox transcription factor in mature cardiomyocytes. Within the genomic analysis of cardiovascular diseases, mutations of NKX2.5 (capitals are used for human Nkx2.5) have emerged as a fascinating story both because of the roles this transcription factor plays in formation of the developing heart, as well as in maintenance of the normal heart after birth and through to adulthood. We are particularly interested in a cardiac disorder in adults:  progressive AV block and left ventricular dysfunction caused by NKX2.5 mutations. However, the current understanding of the NKX2.5 function is very limited in explaining why the molecular mechanisms of NKX2.5 mutations cause congenital heart disease.

Prior Research: My PhD research focused on autoimmune myocarditis induced by a cardiac sarcomere protein, myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C).  Since my postdoctoral training, I have been studying the functions of the homeobox transcription factor Nkx2.5 in heart development and maturation.

Education: MD (1985) Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan; PhD (1994) Nagoya University School of Medicine and National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Japan; 1994-1997, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; 1997-1998, Postdoctoral Fellow, Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Family: Single

When I'm not at work, I am: doing exercises

The best thing that I've done lately that no one knows about: gave a call to my mother on Mother’s Day.

Last non-work related book: Bridgette Jones’ Diary and The Edge of Reason

Last movie in a theater and your thoughts:  The Matrix-Reloaded

Something always in your refrigerator: Orange juice and beer

People would be surprised to know that: I started research without my intention.

Contact me at: hkasahar@phys.med.ufl.edu