Dr. Arjun Deb

Biography

Arjun Deb is a professor specializing in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology at UCLA, focusing on cardiac repair and regeneration. His research addresses the fundamental challenges of heart muscle regeneration after injury, specifically the formation of fibrotic scar tissue that disrupts normal cardiac function. Annually, 500,000 patients in the United States are diagnosed with heart failure, largely due to the heart's inability to regenerate muscle tissue following injury. His lab examines the interactions between cardiac fibroblasts and progenitor cells to understand the mechanisms governing cardiac repair. Significant research areas include the Wnt signaling pathway’s role in cardiac fibrosis and the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of epicardial cells during cardiac injury. Deb’s laboratory employs murine models and various genetic strategies to uncover how manipulating these cellular processes can improve cardiac healing. His work on understanding and potentially modulating cardiac cell plasticity addresses both fundamental biology and clinical applications, emphasizing the importance of regenerating functional cardiac tissue and understanding the origins of cardiac calcification. He has published extensively on these topics, contributing to advancements in regenerative medicine and heart disease treatment.

Research Interests

Experience