Research Interests

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. In India about 40% of all deaths in urban areas and 30% in rural areas are attributed to cardiovascular diseases. Incidence of heart diseases in India has steadily increased from about 2% (1960) to 10.5% (2000). Although available therapies improve symptoms, they are not able to reverse fibrosis or activate hibernating myocardium. Recently, interest in non-coding RNAs as therapeutic-targets for chronic diseases is increasing. Main research focus of our lab is to understand the role of non-coding RNAs in patho-physiology of the heart. Research in my lab is being funded by the Wellcome Trust/ DBT India Alliance.

Selected Publications

Viereck J*, Kumarswamy R* et al and Thum T. Long noncoding RNA Chast promotes cardiac remodeling. Science Translational Medicine. 2016;8(326):326ra22. *Equal authorship.

Kumarswamy R, Volkmann I et al and, Thum T. Vascular importance of the miR-212/132 cluster. European Heart Journal. 2014;35(45):3224-31.

Kumarswamy R, Bauters C et al and Thum T. Circulating long noncoding RNA, LIPCAR, predictssurvival in patients with heart failure. Circulation Research. 2014;114(10):1569-75.

Kumarswamy R, Lyon AR et al and, Thum T. SERCA2a gene therapy restores microRNA-1 expression in heart failure via an Akt/FoxO3A-dependent pathway. European Heart Journal. 2012;33(9):1067-75.

Kumarswamy R, Volkmann I, Jazbutyte V, Dangwal S, Park DH, Thum T. Transforming growth factor-?-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition is partly mediated by microRNA-21. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. 2012;32(2):361-9.