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5 Groundbreaking Discoveries From The Davis Heart And Lung Institute That Will Change Cardiovascular Medicine In 2025

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The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute (DHLRI) at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center continues to solidify its position as a global epicenter for cardiovascular and pulmonary discovery, with the latest research in late 2025 pointing toward revolutionary new treatments for heart failure and chronic lung disease. This freestanding, interdisciplinary facility, supported by the generosity of the Davis Foundation and others like William D. (Bill) and Jacquelyn L. Wells, is not just conducting research; it is actively forging a new path for heart and lung patients by translating complex biological discoveries into clinical reality.

The institute’s focus on complex, real-world diseases prevalent in Ohio and the United States has led to a surge of fresh, high-impact findings in 2024 and 2025, particularly in the fields of gene therapy, cardiac metabolism, and regenerative medicine. This deep dive explores the visionary leadership, the personnel, and the specific, cutting-edge breakthroughs—from protein-boosting therapies to new educational initiatives—that are defining the future of cardiopulmonary care at the DHLRI today.

The Visionary Leadership and Core Biographies Driving DHLRI's Success

The success of the Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute is fundamentally built on the strength of its leadership and the collaborative spirit of its faculty, who are drawn from eight different Ohio State University Colleges.

Thomas J. Hund, PhD: Director and Electrophysiology Expert

Leading the institute is Thomas J. Hund, PhD, a distinguished Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and a key figure in cardiac cell biology and electrophysiology. Dr. Hund’s research is focused on accelerating the pace of heart and lung discovery and building team science across multiple disciplines. His laboratory, which is also part of the Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, concentrates on understanding the molecular mechanisms that contribute to cardiac rhythm disorders and heart failure.

The Core Research Team and Associate Directors

The DHLRI’s collaborative model is supported by a robust team of associate directors and principal investigators, ensuring broad topical authority across the cardiopulmonary spectrum. Key figures include:

  • E. Douglas Lewandowski, PhD: Director of Translational Research and the Jack M. George Chair in Medicine. Dr. Lewandowski is a senior author on the institute’s most significant recent gene therapy breakthroughs.
  • Ana Mora, MD: Director of Lung Research and a Professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, focusing on complex lung diseases and metabolism.
  • Natalia Higuita-Castro, PhD: An Associate Director whose work often involves advanced biomaterials and nanomedicine.
  • Kristin Stanford, PhD: Another Associate Director, known for her research into the metabolic regulation of cardiovascular health.

2025's Biggest Breakthroughs: Gene Therapy and Cardiac Metabolism

The most compelling and fresh information from the DHLRI revolves around targeted, molecular-level interventions that promise new hope for patients with chronic cardiac conditions. The research is highly focused on cellular energy, specifically within the mitochondria.

1. Revolutionary CPT1a Gene Therapy for Heart Failure

One of the most significant recent discoveries, led by E. Douglas Lewandowski, PhD, and his team, involves a novel gene therapy approach to slow down the progression of heart failure. The research identified that increasing the levels of a specific protein, Carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1a), can improve cardiac function.

In a failing heart, the ability of cardiac muscle cells to burn fatty acids for energy (a process known as fatty acid oxidation, or FAO) is severely diminished. The DHLRI researchers found that by delivering the CPT1a gene directly to the heart, they could restore this crucial metabolic function, effectively slowing the disease even after the heart had already begun to fail. This molecular intervention represents a paradigm shift in treating heart failure, moving beyond symptom management to address the underlying metabolic cause.

2. New Discoveries in Mitochondrial Metabolism and Dynamics

Mitochondria, often called the "powerhouses of the cell," are central to DHLRI's 2025 research agenda, with several projects exploring their role in disease. The institute is a major hub for the Center for Metabolism and Mitochondrial Medicine (C3M), which integrates research across multiple specialties.

Key areas of investigation in 2025 include:

  • Mitophagy and Cardiac Myocytes: Research is exploring how mitophagy (the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria) can mitigate deficiencies in fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation, a process crucial for heart cell (myocyte) health.
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis and Cardiac Fibroblasts: Investigations are underway to understand how alterations in mitochondrial dynamics within cardiac fibroblasts contribute to pulmonary diseases, linking lung and heart function at the cellular level.
  • Coronary and Cardiac Lymphatic Vessels: Upcoming seminars in 2025 highlight new discoveries related to the lymphatic system within the heart, a critical but often overlooked component of cardiovascular health and recovery.

Fostering the Future: Key Research and Educational Initiatives

The DHLRI’s impact extends beyond the lab bench through active involvement in clinical trials and dedicated educational programs designed to cultivate the next generation of cardiopulmonary specialists.

3. High-Impact Clinical Trials and Collaborative Research

The institute is actively involved in numerous clinical studies, including those focused on the identification of novel markers for human lung disease and participation in international collaborative efforts like the WASOG clinical trial endpoint task force in 2024–2025. This clinical trial involvement ensures that basic science discoveries are rapidly translated into patient care strategies at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

4. The 2025 Undergraduate Fellowship Program

A significant new initiative in the Spring 2025 newsletter is the launch of a new summer undergraduate fellowship program. This program, led by Vidu Garg, MD (in collaboration with Nationwide Children's Hospital), is a critical part of the Integrative Research Training Program in Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Disease. The fellowship aims to give aspiring scientists early exposure to high-level research in congenital and acquired heart disease, ensuring a pipeline of talent for future breakthroughs in pediatric and adult cardiopulmonary medicine.

5. Focused Research on Aging and Lung Health

Another area of concentrated effort in 2025 is the study of how the aging process affects lung health. This research is crucial for addressing diseases like COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, which disproportionately affect older populations. By investigating the mechanisms of aging, such as the role of fatty acid metabolism in lung progenitor plasticity and repair, researchers like Mauricio Rojas, MD and Ana Mora, MD are working to develop regenerative strategies for damaged lung tissue.

The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute is clearly operating at the forefront of medical science in late 2025. Through its dedicated focus on metabolic pathways, led by experts like Dr. Hund and Dr. Lewandowski, and its commitment to training future leaders under programs like the one directed by Dr. Garg, the DHLRI is delivering on its mission to provide new hope and definitive treatments for heart and lung patients globally. The institute’s unique structure, combining research from eight different colleges, ensures a holistic and powerful approach to solving the most persistent challenges in cardiovascular and pulmonary health.

5 Groundbreaking Discoveries from the Davis Heart and Lung Institute That Will Change Cardiovascular Medicine in 2025
davis heart and lung institute
davis heart and lung institute

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