MUSMedical University of South Carolina · Biology
The Mitochondrial Heart Lab
Gerald W. Dorn · Charleston, South Carolina
Research Focus
Dr. Gerald W. Dorn's lab focuses on understanding how mitochondria function and adapt in heart cells, especially during conditions like cardiomyopathy and heart failure. They explore the role of a protein called Mitofusin 2 in regulating mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism, aiming to find new therapeutic approaches to improve heart health. The research combines basic science and translational applications to address critical challenges in heart disease treatment.
mitochondrial functioncardiomyopathyMitofusin 2mitochondrial dynamicsmetabolismheart diseasetherapeutic targetsphosphorylationmitophagy
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how Mitofusin 2 controls mitochondrial dynamics in heart cells.
AIM 02Determine the role of mitophagy in cardiac metabolic transitions.
AIM 03Identify therapeutic strategies to optimize mitochondrial function in heart disease.
AIM 04Explore the impact of human mutations in Mitofusin 2 on heart disease phenotypes.
AIM 05Develop small molecules for activating Mitofusin 2 as a potential treatment for cardiac dysfunction.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturegene editingWestern blotPCRanimal models (mouse)metabolic assaysdrug screening techniquesmolecular cloningsequencing techniques
Output against the department
Publications245top 25% of dept.254th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations31ktop 11% of dept.109th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.