Romain CAPOULADE

Valvular heart diseases are the one of most frequent cardiovascular diseases and are associated with important mobi-mortality. Currently, our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of these diseases remains elusive, and did not allow us to identify pharmacological therapeutic targets to treat patients suffering from this pathologies. The only option available for them is to undergo a replacement or repair of their diseased valve, via surgical or transcatheter approaches.

My research is mainly focused on developing our understanding of the pathophysiology of valvular heart diseases with the objective to identify druggable targets to treat patients.

I am currently working on multiple research projects, mixing expertise on genetic, cellular and animal model, as well as clinical and pre-clinical imaging with the aim to decipher mechanisms leading to native valve diseases, such as calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) and mitral valve prolapse (MVP), and structural bioprosthetic valve degeneration (SVD). The specific on-going projects are focused on:
            - the role of PCSK9, a key protein in lipid metabolism, in the development of CAVS
            - the role of mechanisensing in the development and progression of MVP
            - the role of immune cells and inflammation in the pathophysiological process leading to MVP 
            - the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to SVD  

More information: https://umr1087.univ-nantes.fr/research/research-teams/genetics-and-pathophysiology-of-cardiac-valve-dystrophy

Main research fundings:

POSITIONS

      Tenure Researcher (since 2021)
      Nantes University, Institut du thorax / INSERM U1087, Nantes, France
 

      Research Postdoctoral Fellow (2017-2020)
      Nantes University, Institut du thorax / INSERM U1087, Nantes, France
 

      Research Postdoctoral Fellow (2014-2017)
      Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA


EDUCATION
 

      Habilitation à Diriger la Recherche (HDR) (2024)
      Nantes University, Institut du thorax / INSERM U1087, Nantes, France      

      PhD in Experimental Medicine (2014)
      Laval University, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute Institution, Quebec, Canada
 

      Master – Health, Sport and Society (2008)
      Paul-Sabatier University, Toulouse, France