DR. KIRAN MUSUNURU

Dr. Kiran Musunuru is a cardiologist, genetics researcher, and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. His current research involves creating a gene-editing therapy to prevent heart attacks (Musunuru, 2023). The aim of his research is to use CRISPR technology to edit genes in the liver, specifically the ANGPTL3 gene, in order to permanently lower LDL cholesterol (Musunuru, 2023). Notably, Dr. Musunuru's impact in the field of genetics was the discovery of ANGPTL3 as a promising target for gene editing. Dr. Musunuru specifically identified that those with a loss-of-function mutation on the ANGPTL3 gene had lower cholesterol.

Likewise, Dr. Musunuru is also researching gene-editing therapies for inherited metabolic diseases (Musunuru, 2023). Some significant problems that arise from such inherited metabolic diseases include enzyme deficiencies, chronic inflammation, and increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Dr. Musunuru's impact in this regard was his preclinical success in animal models for a gene-editing treatment of phenylketonuria (Musunuru, 2023).

Dr. Musunuru also co-founded Verve Therapeutics, a biotechnology company with the aim of creating a treatment for cardiovascular disease through genetic editing of the PCSK-9 gene, effectively lowering LDL cholesterol (Musunuru, 2023). Subsequently, Dr. Musunuru pursued an ML in Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School to better understand the laws around the administration of drug development (Musunuru, 2023).

It is admirable that Dr. Musunuru is using gene-editing technology to address the leading cause of death globally, namely heart disease. Many people battle with serious heart conditions, so Dr. Musunuru's research may just be a harbinger of better days.

References:

Musunuru K. (2023). Playing the genetic lottery: an interview with Kiran Musunuru. Disease models & mechanisms, 16(10), dmm050508. https://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.050508

picture credit: B. D. Colen