Silencing the Genes of a Killer?—Understanding the Heart (Disease) of the Matter

Feb 20, 2025

Kiran Musunuru, a renowned cardiologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses revolutionary advancements in heart disease treatment. He emphasizes heart disease as a primary global health threat and reveals how CRISPR technology may enable targeted therapies that lower cholesterol permanently. The conversation touches on gene editing's potential to cure severe conditions like sickle cell disease and the importance of clinical trials in safely implementing these innovative treatments. Musunuru's insights illuminate a hopeful future for combating this leading killer.

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Intro

00:00 • 5min

The Role of Gene Regulation in Cholesterol Management

05:08 • 3min

Cholesterol Regulation and CRISPR: A Potential Solution for Heart Disease

07:39 • 4min

Revolutionizing Disease Treatment with CRISPR Technology

11:29 • 2min

Navigating the Future of Gene Editing and Stem Cell Therapy

13:24 • 3min

Innovative Gene Editing for Heart Disease

16:26 • 10min

Navigating Clinical Trials and the Future of Gene Editing

26:43 • 3min

The #1 killer in the world is heart disease—it doesn’t matter who you are or where you live, this killer doesn’t discriminate.

But does it have a code? And could it be cracked with the right technology?

Tune in to discover:

Why all of our cells would burst without cholesterol, but what happens when there’s too much of it
How CRISPR/Cas9 technology could hold the key to permanently low cholesterol levels (without the need for injections or pills), and a cure for sickle cell anemia
What lipid nanoparticles are, how they can be used to deliver genes to specific organs in the body, and why this is significant

Dr. Kiran Musunuru is a cardiologist, professor of medicine, and director of the Genetic and Epigenetic Origins of Disease Program at Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.

As the leading cause of death globally, he believes heart disease is the preeminent global health threat of the 21st century, and the greatest challenge facing the medical profession today. And this is driving him to take action.

Dr. Musunuru explains that, despite immense efforts put forth by some of the brightest scientists and doctors over the course of decades, treatment options for heart disease remain limited, mostly to cholesterol-lowering drugs. But he also explains how this is changing in light of the more recent revolution in genetics—namely, the completion of the Human Genome Project.

What’s the genetic difference between those who develop heart disease and those who don’t?

What genes influence heart health and disease, and could therapies based on this information prevent heart disease altogether?

These are the types of questions that Dr. Musunuru says can now be answered, and he’s doing just that.

Listeners will learn about the genetics behind heart disease and cholesterol levels, the details of Dr. Musunuru’s research and most recent findings, what the future of heart disease treatment and prevention might hold, and much more.

Learn more at https://www.med.upenn.edu/cvi/musunuru-laboratory.html.

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9

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