Perwez Alam

As a molecular and cellular biologist, my research is dedicated to developing innovative therapeutic strategies that promote cardiac repair and regeneration, particularly in the contexts of aging and myocardial injury. My work centers on the cardiomyocyte, the fundamental unit of cardiac contractility, which comprises nearly two-thirds of the heart’s cellular volume and plays a vital role in maintaining the cardiac microenvironment.

Over the past decade, paracrine signaling has emerged as a key mechanism by which various cellular and molecular therapies mediate cardiac repair. These signaling pathways contribute to rejuvenating the extracellular environment, facilitating communication between diverse cardiac cell types, and enhancing tissue healing. Despite growing evidence, the precise role of cardiomyocyte-driven paracrine communication in coordinating the heart’s physiological and pathological responses remains incompletely understood.

My research explores alternative approaches to activate cardiomyocyte-specific protective mechanisms that modulate paracrine signaling and intercellular communication. We have demonstrated that inducing cell cycle activity in adult cardiomyocytes can reprogram their secretory profile, improving angiogenesis, immune modulation, and cell survival after cardiac injury. This finding highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting cardiomyocyte-mediated signaling pathways to restore cardiac function.

At the core of my work is the hypothesis that cardiomyocyte-centric paracrine signaling is a fundamental driver of cardiac repair, regeneration, and resilience, offering new directions for intervention in cardiovascular disease.