The Nishiga Lab in the Department of Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics investigates the molecular mechanisms that drive human cardiovascular diseases, with a focus on cardiomyopathies and heart failure.

We use diverse cardiovascular cell types derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)—including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages—combined with CRISPR-based genome engineering, high-throughput functional genomics (such as pooled CRISPR screens), and complementary genetic mouse models. Our goal is to understand how genetic variation, cellular stress pathways, and inflammatory signals contribute to cardiac dysfunction.

A major direction of the lab is developing scalable platforms for functional genetics in iPSC-CMs, enabling us to systematically map gene networks that protect or sensitize cardiovascular cells to injury. These injury models include stressors such as inflammatory cytokines, metabolic stress, and cancer treatment–induced toxicities (cardio-oncology).

By integrating human iPSC models, precise gene editing, advanced imaging, and in vivo models, we aim to identify new cardioprotective pathways and therapeutic targets. We welcome motivated students excited about CRISPR technologies, stem cell biology, multi-omics, and interdisciplinary projects that bridge basic cardiovascular biology with disease modeling.