David A. Ford, PhD

Professor of Biochemistry and Mol. Biol., Director, Center for Cardiovascular Research

Saint Louis University (SLU)

My lab’s interests focus on biochemical mechanisms that mediate disease with an emphasis on cardiovascular disease. In particular, we are interested in the role of lipids as mediators and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Our research program examines both common lipids and novel lipids that we have discovered as key mediators of cell function, energetics, and pathophysiological sequelae, as well as mediators and biomarkers of disease. Novel lipids that have been discovered in our laboratory include chlorinated lipids and brominated lipids that are candidate biomarkers of neutrophil (and monocyte)-mediated disease and eosinophil-derived disease, respectively. Current NIH research is focusing on the role of chlorinated lipids as mediators of atherosclerosis and is examining these chlorinated lipids as biomarkers of CAD and cardiovascular disease progression in a human subject population with lupus.