Ferrari Lab – Columbia Biobank for Translational Science

Giovanni Ferrari, PhDPI: Giovanni Ferrari, PhD

Location

P&S Building – 630 W. 168th Street, 15-401
New York, NY 10032

Research

Heart valve and vascular cell physiology, bioprosthetic heart valve, cardiac biomechanics, and the brain-heart axis are Dr. Ferrari’s main research interests.

Columbia Biobank for Translational Science

The Columbia Biobank for Translational Science (CBTS) is an applied biorepository supporting translational and precision medicine initiatives for pediatric and adult studies. Biological specimens, including human primary cells, clinical and imaging data are routinely collected and catalogued in an electronic database to support retrospective and prospective clinical studies. CBTS shares clinical data with partner biobanks and a quickly expanding list of national and international research partners.

The adult and pediatric biobanks provide clinical samples (including blood serum, frozen or fixed tissue, DNA) and data for grant applications by investigators within and outside CUMC. Requests undergo review by the protocol governance committee based on scientific rationale, desired type and quantity of specimens and associated data.  

Active Projects

  • R01HL143002, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
    Oxidation-mediated structural degeneration of bioprosthetic heart valves
    PIs: G Ferrari, RJ Levy (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)
  • R01HL142504, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
    Biomechanical Indicators of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Dysfunction
    PIs: R Gorman (UPenn), M Sacks (UT Austin), and MC Hsu (UIowa)
  • R01HL137984-01A1, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
    Cardiac MR imaging of hemorrhagic reperfusion injury after myocardial infarction
    PI: W Witschey (UPenn)
  • R01HL122805, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
    Role of RAGE in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Syndrome
    PI: G Ferrari
  • R01HL131872, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
    Serotonin Signaling in Mitral Valve Homeostasis, Maintenance, and Restoration
    PIs: G Ferrari, R Levy (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) 
  • AATS/CU Department of Surgery Young Investigator Award
    Pediatric Ascending Aortopathy
    PI: D LaPar (CU/CHONY)
  • Role of myostatin in pathological cardiac remodeling and metabolism
    Co-PIs: I George, E Castillero

Personnel

  • Estibaliz Castillero, PhD – Associate Research Scientist
  • Antonio Frasca, PhD – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Alexander Kossar, MD – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Chiara Camillo, PhD – Postdoctoral Research Scientist
  • Yingfei Xue, PhD – Postdoctoral Research Scientist
  • Alex D’Angelo, MD – Postdoctoral Research Fellow 
  • Matteo Marro, MD – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Samuel Carter, MPH – Clinical Research Coordinator 
  • Philip Allen – MD/MS Candidate 
  • Mangesh Kurade – Lab Technician