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Dr. Kass is the Hosack Professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. His research investigates the structure and function of ion channels, with a primary focus on their expression in the heart. Over forty-two years, he has directed NIH and NSF-sponsored research, contributing to the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie cardiac electrical activity. His laboratory explores the cellular basis of calcium-dependent arrhythmias and the basic mechanisms of action of calcium channel blocking drugs. A significant emphasis of his work is on congenital arrhythmias stemming from inherited mutations in genes encoding ion channels and related proteins. Dr. Kass aims to develop mutation-specific therapeutic strategies for managing these diseases, guided by a multidisciplinary approach that bridges biophysical science and clinical applications. His additional studies investigate the structural basis of mutation-induced disease phenotypes, including heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with potassium ion channel mutations. Currently, his lab is focused on understanding the mechanisms behind heritable arrhythmias in the context of complex genetic backgrounds, utilizing cellular electrophysiology in cardiomyocytes derived from patient family members harboring disease-causing mutations.
PhD programs at VP&S are often administered through the Coordinated Doctoral Programs in Biomedical Sciences (Integrated Program).