The Cardiovascular Institute The University of Colorado Cardiovascular Institute (CU-CVI) was founded in 1998 to integrate the cardiovascular research, training and education efforts of the Boulder campus and the Health Sciences Center, and to conduct innovative research in dedicated CU-CVI space. Unique in the history of the University, the Institute promotes high quality, large-scale programs in cardiovascular research, training and education, utilizing the full potential of scientists and educators at the Boulder and Health Sciences Center campuses. Both campuses share these goals, as each realizes that the inclusion of the other in a joint effort will greatly improve the performance and productivity of cardiovascular research programs within the University of Colorado system. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States and in the State of Colorado. Among cardiovascular diseases, the only type that is increasing in number and relative percentage is heart failure. By integrating research and the training of scientists and physicians specializing in heart muscle disease and heart failure, the Institute allows a more efficient and creative approach to the training of future scientists and physicians while markedly enhancing the potential for securing program grants and the ability to integrate training program and research. The overall scientific goal of the CU-CVI is to derive a complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development and progression of human myocardial failure and to produce new diagnostic treatment modalities. To accomplish this goal, the Institute brings together physicians, basic molecular biologists, and geneticists to study the molecular mechanisms responsible for the clinical syndrome of human heart failure. The CU-CVI employs modern molecular biology, pharmacology, and physiology techniques to examine alternations in gene expression, structural alterations (mutations and polymorphisms), and function in human heart tissues and transgenic mouse models. The knowledge derived from these studies will be used to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention in human heart failure. The Institute will also actively promote the transfer of these new diagnostic and treatment modalities from the laboratory to the clinic and train a new generation of basic scientist and physicians in modern cardiovascular research and clinical methodology. The principle scientists of CU-CVI include Leslie Leinwand, PhD, Chairman of the Department of Molecular Biology at Boulder, Michael Bristow,MD,PhD, Professor Medicine and former Head of the Cardiovascular Division, and Luisa Mestroni, MD, Head of the Familial Cardiomyopathy Program at UCD.