This document provides information about the Molecular Medical Research Laboratory (MMRL) and its research into heart disease. The MMRL studies cardiac arrhythmias, cardiovascular disease, sudden cardiac death, and related topics using approaches like electrophysiology, molecular genetics, molecular biology, and stem cell research. Its research has been published in leading medical journals and has provided insights into conditions like sudden infant death syndrome and effective new treatments for atrial fibrillation. The MMRL also investigates induced pluripotent stem cells, regenerative medicine, and bioengineering applications like an artificial heart. It supports education programs and relies on donations to continue its medical research.

1. WELCOME
WWW.MMRL.EDU

3. Heart Disease
•Cardiac Arrhythmias
•Cardiovascular Disease
•Sudden Cardiac Death
Programs of Study
Electrophysiology Molecular Genetics
Molecular Biology Stem Cell Research

4. Results are published in
leading medical
journals worldwide

5. MOLECULAR GENETICS

6. Congenital heart disease
Primary electrical abnormalities
Coronary artery disease
Cardiomyopathies
Drug-induced arrhythmias
Electrolyte abnormalities

7. ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS
FOR MUTATIONS
• Chemical substances
• Radioactive substances
• UV Radiation
• Pollution
• Smoking
• Diet

8. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
MMRL scientists provided the first direct evidence linking some incidences of
SIDS to a cardiac arrhythmia known as Long QT syndrome in
New England Journal of Medicine, 2000

9. Atrial Fibrillation
• Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac
arrhythmia seen in clinical practice, affecting over 2.5
million Americans.
 Prevalence is increasing rapidly, in large part
related to increasing longevity of our population
 >Affects 5% under 65 years of age and 20%
among individuals 80 years old and over
 Lifetime risk of developing AF in individuals over
40 years of age is 1 in 4 (Lloyd-Jones, 2004)

10. MMRL Discovers New Treatment
for Atrial Fibrillation (September 28, 2010)
The Cardiac Research Institute of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory
(MMRL) of Utica, NY publication of a research paper in October 5, 2010 issue of
the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed, for the first time, a
potent effect of the combination of two drugs, ranolazine and dronedarone, to
produce a safe and effective means of suppressing atrial fibrillation (AF) in
experimental models of AF. The study was conducted in collaboration with Gilead
Sciences, Inc. of Foster City, CA. This study was selected as number 1 by MDLinx
among the thousands of cardiology papers published that week.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are in the planning stages and are anticipated to start in early 2011.
They will be conducted at medical centers throughout the country. The Masonic
Medical Research Laboratory does not conduct clinical trials at its facility.
Individuals interested in participating in the clinical trials of the effectiveness of
the ranolazine and dronedarone combination as a treatment for atrial fibrillation
should contact their clinician or cardiologist once the trials are announced..

11. iPS
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Skin Cells (Fibroblasts) > Stem Cells > Cardiomyocytes

12. iPS cells Derived
Cardiomyocytes
Human Model of Better management of the patients
Arrhythmic diseases
Regenerative Medicine
Discovery of anti-arrhythmic drugs
Better treatment for healthy heart
To better
understand the
cause and disease
mechanisms

13. Stem Cell Projects at the MMRL
Oct4
Transfection of Nanog
4 transcription factors Lin28 (they activate pluripotent genes)
Sox2
Fibroblasts (4-6 weeks)
Differentiation protocols
using a chemically-
defined media
(serum free media supplemented
with growth factors)
Pluripotent genes are downregulated
after differentiation
(2-3 weeks)
•Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) can be then
differentiated into Cardiomyocytes.
* Potentially therapeutic uses without the controversial use
of embryos

14. Using Nature’s Platform to Engineer a Bioartificial Heart
Ghost Heart
Lab-Grown Heart
Ghost Heart

16. Education
• Pre-doctoral
• Post-doctoral
• Summer Fellowship
• BOCES Regional Program for Excellence
• BOCES Shadowing Program
• Young Scholars LPP
• STEM Program in partnership with SUNY IT

17. Medical Research
is relevant to every human being
Our health tomorrow depends on discoveries that emanate from
medical research today. Only through a sustained investment in
medical research will scientists have the capability to design better
and more rational medical treatments and cures.
The MMRL is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.
Tax deductible gifts of cash, securities, real estate, annuities and life
insurance are welcome..Wills and bequests to the MMRL provide the
means to leave a lasting legacy from which your children and
grandchildren can benefit.