Our genetic and molecular research focuses on how biomarkers (such as DNA mutations and blood proteins) affect heart and vascular disease. We also collect DNA samples and actively follow patients and family members with genetic, or inherited forms of heart disease. Here is a select list of our projects in this area:

  • Intermountain INSPIRE Registry, Genetic Heart Disease

     INSPIRE is Intermountain’s active registry for the collection of biological samples, clinical information, and laboratory data from consenting patients diagnosed with any healthcare-related conditions.

    We use the Intermountain INSPIRE registry to collect DNA samples and actively follow consenting patients and family members seen in the genetic heart disease clinic.

    Common disease states that are investigated include Long QT syndrome, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Brugada syndrome, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

  • Genealogy Database

    We record family pedigrees of consenting patients with genetic heart disease, or with a heavy burden of familial heart disease, in our genealogy database.

    This database was originally created using publicly available genealogy records and probabilistic linkage techniques for over 23 million individuals. Our analytical tools allow us to extract and study family pedigrees with genetic or familial heart disease.

  • Multi-Center Atrial Fibrillation Genetics Consortium

    This project is a collaborative academic effort coordinated by Harvard-Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Broad Institute that includes large‐scale genotyping of patients with atrial fibrillation.

    The project takes a particular interest in those people that develop atrial fibrillation without traditional risk factors for the disease such as advanced age, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

  • Valve Genetics

    This study will enroll members of families in which mitral valve prolapse (MVP) clusters. Researchers will genotype the DNA of consenting participants to discover genetic variants that are shared by MVP cases but not by unaffected individuals.

  • Precision Medicine with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) for Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death 

    This study is a collaborative effort with Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. Scientists will collect blood cells from consenting patients with Long QT syndrome and other channelopathies.

    The cells will be treated so they revert to stems cells. Once the stem cells are healthy and established, they will be re-specialized into heart cells, allowing investigators to study disease expression and response to different therapies.